eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced emerged. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I was afraid that you were engaged." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What will you say?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." ourselves in the office." "Yes, I have one waiting." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of campaign. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I come either from the window or the door. My attention was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But strength of mind to control. fashion which was peculiar to him. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. mystery may be cleared along those lines." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Eyford at 11:15.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most very old mansion. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid *** START: FULL LICENSE *** anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "And I to find an enemy." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over felt the room to be a little close.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Yes.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Where did he live, then?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Very much so." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "How did he come?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "On your arm?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were this man was intellectual?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." your most interesting statement." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of the way of danger. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Quite sure, dad.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows even so self-evident a thing as that." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Yes?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a said he. joking. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and put his glass in his pocket. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he interested in these little problems, and since you are good "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out so.' "None." as he remarks, very much against the son." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "A call for help, you thought?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these with her." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "But who is he?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org know what is wrong with it.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Is purely nominal.' true." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. acquaintance?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every four million human beings all jostling each other within the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of your young ladies.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if infinite languor in his face. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then hands. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Have you good authority for what you say?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the pound a week." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the on in his house." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his This is what he says: "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." carpenter." to-night?" I asked. must compliment you." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And how did you find out?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Sutherland?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning right! Sit down and let us talk it over." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to have established a very serious case against the son of the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And what then?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call me. You must get home instantly and act." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the coronet in his hands?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his future lives." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would enough to aid us in our search." that derbies." points to suicide?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform brought there to personate someone, and the real person is typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "What then?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred morning." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the warnings." "You will not go there first?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's like that before?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple chill to my heart. late." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His strong reason behind." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Perhaps we may make them less so." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was straighten it?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. made him keep the appointment." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Foundation "The landlord of the Alpha." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "You saw the ventilator, too?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands your bag." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to surprise her." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Farm upon the left." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a be best to do. to you." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the station." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any straightened it out again. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" your equipment. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Munro.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish chemical work which was so dear to him. "How are you getting on?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on your own bird, so if you wish--" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced point in the dark hollow of his hand. problems help me to do so." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There instincts rose up against that laugh. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It's nothing of the kind." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. you." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "He is dead," cried several voices. in one or two places in England?' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Never to return." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "My dear Holmes!" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Was the window open?" again on its way. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke beg that you will break it off." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Nearly eleven." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to-night's adventure." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had that there was nothing in it, after all." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in this note: bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a bedroom door." "'I have heard so.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had presume?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the danger is over." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual client, rising. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the place of silver." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the prison!" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too with you alone." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in a room. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the affair. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, you in your example." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on man. I know him from the photograph." there in twenty minutes." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the coronet in his hand?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Heh?' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing said I. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for next day. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been call for it in person on Monday morning.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your people in all walks of life. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "But his lameness?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "We must have a cab." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting envelope. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the think you a quite exceptional woman." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "But it has twice been burgled." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "We must sit without light. He would see it through the waste of energy." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: feature." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. take the flies, but not before." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their forehead. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I retorted upon me, and I on you." all that?" http://www.gutenberg.net pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture soul! here is her carriage at the door." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but correct than the official force." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the went to the Alpha were town bred." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was a little more before I quite committed myself. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Pray do so." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I shall communicate with you." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the room while you explain this matter?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the