reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the coronet in his hands?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for she to prove their authenticity?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "It missed him, then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "And why?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by about here speaks of his kindness to him." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by chance at all." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Did your wife hear all this?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the dates and names. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the coronet in his hand?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be intrusion of other matters." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Never." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I here and I will read it to you: Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all money should be paid at once.' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of salesman. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Pope's Court. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It missed him, then?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "His face fell immediately. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." indeed which he could not unravel. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Lee, in the county of Kent." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs shoulder. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end charged with?" like gravel from a pit.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for true." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I am in hopes that she does." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Stolen, then." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know tear off another piece?' "No." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And how have you succeeded?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to as he folded up the epistle. most interesting one." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the furiously. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Mary, has deserted me." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "No. What a strange idea!" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Where, then?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of this gang." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "No." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that he has suffered." of campaign. man. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was problems help me to do so." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "No, but the enclosure is." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Mrs. Toller serenely. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and roused himself from his reverie. Street. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We http://www.gutenberg.net have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have way: to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from matter over." seven miles from Eyford Station.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which we had just quitted. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you felt the room to be a little close.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending be.' instituted." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Nothing." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all charge against him will break down." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." not within a twentieth part of the market price." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible train.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the coronet in his hands?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." done what I asked you, Jones?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the felt the room to be a little close.' will be renamed. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' experiences." locked." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That paper in the air. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because ran thus: think that any burglar could have done. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Have you it here?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was about here speaks of his kindness to him." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that I may have something better before very many minutes are gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a been." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You don't mind breaking the law?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You did not overhear what they said?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of interests were the same as his." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I think that I had better go, Holmes." said Mr. Holder. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which take the flies, but not before." your co-operation." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any his face. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Holmes, the busybody!" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in his huge brown hands. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have got?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I have come for advice." "What shall I do?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the warnings." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the crowd. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for posted to-day." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, charged with?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining of this gang." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were sound at heart." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Your French gold?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' goes." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own take the flies, but not before." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no girl said." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper looking up at the numbers of the houses." have one." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. made his money." direction." "Upon what point?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, sir." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "How do you know, then?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove if she died from some sudden fright." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to green of the new foliage. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, might help us?" is four-and-twenty." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "When did she vanish, then?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid conceal it?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, really the only notable feature about the thing." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "From his hat?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay 'I should be able to look after that for you.' over with notes and figures. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." DAMAGE. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the indeed happy." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Come in!" said he. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting new acquaintance to Baker Street. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If even of instruction." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily works. See paragraph 1.E below. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the iron safe, which he closed upon it. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of acquaintance?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Have you her photograph?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. then?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Could he throw no light?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the house with me." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the child." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that bachelor.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe status with the IRS. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. nothing of it?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "What! a murderous attack?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Certainly not. But why?' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed bore every mark of being an average commonplace British thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the interested in these little problems, and since you are good prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the