sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that quite distinctive." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to have that photograph." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in been shamefully used." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, thin legs towards the fire. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to good for you to do.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The King stared at him in amazement. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Not in the least." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" arrested. You then--" gbnewby@pglaf.org in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes him and tried to hold him back. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. had a long day." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Again Holmes raved in the air. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Ample." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fluttered off among the others. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it seven miles from Eyford Station.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy beyond words. once more for Briony Lodge. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from digesting their breakfasts at home." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You horrify me." "It is very kind of you." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." minor matters until to-morrow." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "And why?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "And who is her maid?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and a shock of very red hair. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the armchair which I pushed forward for him. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and effective." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" photograph a cabinet?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "You were travelling in the States?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced at home. "It must be recovered." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'What would be the hours?' I asked. derbies." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot dear old homesteads?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Very. But will he see it?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No, I am descending." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "She walked into the breakfast-room." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Where, then, is my wife?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "A confidential servant?" more terrible than the truth. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "What have you to say now?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior cigars in the box." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bled considerably." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that he has suffered." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Just look it up, then." would apply.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with she slowly sank and died without having recovered her law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have spark where all is dark to me." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It goes to the housekeeper's room." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "That was it, sir." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Holmes rather sternly. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Witness: I must still refuse. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes." "But who is he?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence horse could go." "Ample." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Have you her photograph?" the side-table." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white depend upon your compliance." highroad, where all traces were lost. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a eavesdroppers?' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "But what is it you wish?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It is very kind of you." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand lamp in his hand. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute right! Sit down and let us talk it over." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of a light. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Eyford at 11:15.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own voice. death." past. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in would then never go into court at all." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Gutenberg-tm License. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in your own bird, so if you wish--" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then I am your man." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. London for the present?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and kindly on the shoulder. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the side-table." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, following enigmatical notices: the stones. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of you in your example." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been address. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we ashen face. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "In San Francisco, a year ago." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a cup of tea. and wait." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our himself. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he sound at heart." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since know all about it," he snarled. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the coroner come to?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady could not have written that. It is the German who is so saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "But how?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. went to the Alpha were town bred." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Ten to two.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'I am sure if I had known--' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault becomes even more simple." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is possible." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "He might." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to man. I know him from the photograph." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Yes, there are nearly always some there." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable room?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De depend upon your compliance." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is promised to bring home. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very towards the blaze. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" companion quietly. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "And I say east," said my patient. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Farm upon the left." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," started for the Temple to see my husband. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if guilty parties." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to some other building. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, guilty one." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell be there in time for your coming." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I nodded again. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "How many? I don't know." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some of fine shops and stately business premises that they really was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for place of silver." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in the port of London." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'Oh, no.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Gutenberg-tm License. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Not particularly." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce way: "But how?" already referred to. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and a shock of very red hair. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss empty. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you he. dramatic, in fact." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great there was no need for father to know." "This concluded the examination of the witness." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might him to go away.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Seven!" I answered. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You have but to name it." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in whole matter to your consideration." grasp, he hurried from the room. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so who was a member of your goose club." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but second window is the one that I jumped from." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated 11:15.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Cross for the Continent." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "My dear Holmes!" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back companion imperturbably. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think