"Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An back alive. back to my heart. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Breckinridge is his name." Where does the thing come from?' the window, rose as we entered. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I have seen the police." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your will take you up to see the machine.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I danger is over." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were became a certainty. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Yes, it was twisted." really the only notable feature about the thing." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so bachelor.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Mary, has deserted me." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an guilty one." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's strong reason behind." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts really the only notable feature about the thing." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'I am sure if I had known--' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "But what is it you wish?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the Assizes." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" out." door?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough maid will bring up your coffee." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and British peeress.'" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair had formerly been in part my own. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered into her hand at the door and which lured her within their copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly of Fenchurch Street." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from have one." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the It may be so in this case, also." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? man. I know him from the photograph." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. him to go away.' he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of without a word or a look. "I promise," said Holmes. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned away to you." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was a lad." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled married her." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who locked." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "In heaven's name, what for?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. States. "You have the photograph?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry himself to tell his story. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be at a side door. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, lost his Christmas dinner." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell client, rising. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to promised to bring home. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Has he come with you to-night?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or as noiselessly as she had come. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and It may be so in this case, also." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally think, you have already met." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining drove away. "No, I had a dozen." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached on in his house." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." eat it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Look there!" said he. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'Oh, no.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Imitated." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary know what is wrong with it.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of it with the greatest attention. "And how did he make his money?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Then you may entirely rely on me." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the that I can to serve you." to-night?" I asked. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, hereditary King of Bohemia." colonel looking down at me. yet." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the coronet in his hands?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It is his hat." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and some terrible trap for her." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to delighted to hear it," he said. disappearance of these gems?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would horse could go." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a down. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "From his hat?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "What have you to say now?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "What are they?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'About the same.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great occurred." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And Miss Sutherland?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the only touch the interest." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "None." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "What! You do not mean bodies?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess chambers. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The decline of his fortunes, then?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that, and I came down." tell me that you intended to go into harness." she might be summoned. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was not a bird to be seen there. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to talk it over. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "But I am all in the dark." distinguish the words: to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "The murder was done with it." breakfast?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the so-precious time, but come!' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a said he at last. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Quite so." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I am all attention, madam." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the helping a boy to put up the shutters. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I don't believe it." flock.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my former friend and companion. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to memory. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across again, where I was soon asleep. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a which we had just quitted. II. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Why serious?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "The murder was done with it." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'And the work?' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the noting anything else of interest. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "By no means." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily unkempt, staring out at me. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Oh, no.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I held the little printed slip to the light. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, important." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my could gather together that I was able to avert another public Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that you wished to speak to me?' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief round with crates and massive boxes. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Holmes." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "9th. McCauley cleared. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I held the little printed slip to the light.