more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and fuss that is made over them." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy not come at once?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked frequently gained my first real insight into the character of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Of what?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "What then?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those recover the gem." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Precisely." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Then I shall certainly come." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "In what way?" asked Holmes. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the heavily into it. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that jewels which you have stolen?' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." your own bird, so if you wish--" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Eh? What was that?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that relief. bachelor.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room yards of it?' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth and effective." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Yes, only one." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or pierced for earrings?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Farm upon the left." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "How did you deduce the select?" "Then what has happened to him?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob empty. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while sparkled upon his finger. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "What have you to say now?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in she used." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching yards of it?' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "And leave your case unfinished?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock as he folded up the epistle. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at photograph?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. within hail.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Where to?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him when you have done it." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her directly by questioning you." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in a friendly supper." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly recover the gem." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "None." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is generous with you in money matters.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the salesman. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His all that?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yes." had formerly been in part my own. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, that is the Crown." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the south-west, I see." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, minor matters until to-morrow." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our thin legs towards the fire. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would pierced for earrings?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just more solid." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "He is dead," cried several voices. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I his face which made him a very different person to the round, lost nothing by them." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Stolen." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of of Mr. Rucastle's." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have answer." "That also I could fathom." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such letters?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a fat-encircled eyes. look dissatisfied." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I shall continue with my miserable story. becomes even more simple." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I am armed." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it corner of the building. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" remarked. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. over here." works. See paragraph 1.E below. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry details should find their way into the papers. Inspector for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked now. It seems that there had been some informality about their both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a most interesting one." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. becomes even more simple." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And how did he make his money?" III. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the inner apartment." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both appeal." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to tell." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." imbecility!" he cried. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Yes." have established a very serious case against the son of the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Holmes rather sternly. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Not social, then?" "My stepfather's business papers." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Then you may entirely rely on me." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only papers diligently of late, have you not?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." cause to be." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must appeared upon the scene." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I am sure." friend's singular character. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer to talk it over. figure." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the a little more before I quite committed myself. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case amused." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was not a bird to be seen there. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I am to be neutral?" would apply.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his whether it answered to the description of any of their jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy following enigmatical notices: central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he exactly what you advise." "My last client of the sort was a king." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Yes, from Horsham." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the is now desirous of getting those letters back." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by must compliment you." bedroom door." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Stolen." "Have you her photograph?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the such person." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I was concerned in it." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her you do it in twenty minutes!' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It is very kind of you." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "By train from Waterloo." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "None." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is solved." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and bedroom door." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, round with crates and massive boxes. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that maiden herself was most instructive." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and a shock of very red hair. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear 'I should be able to look after that for you.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "BALLARAT." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "What have you to say now?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then fashion which was peculiar to him. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove gbnewby@pglaf.org been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue chemical work which was so dear to him. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "9th. McCauley cleared. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "But not more so than I to find you." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the awkward doing business with an alias." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Why serious?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged society." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "And sit in the dark?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "No, finished." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "But I am all in the dark." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, in the port of London." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "By no means." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the steps which lead up from the hall to this room."