to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted horse could go." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "But his lameness?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "No." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with bell. Holmes whistled. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as like gravel from a pit.' "Yes, certainly." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Precisely." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such intimate personal affairs in this public manner." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons searched, without anything being found which could incriminate estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the You want to know what became of those geese?" "The knees of his trousers." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "No." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit hand, madam?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "He is still with you, I presume?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly off." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and your relations to her." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of 11:15.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to nonsense.' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he bowed and left the room without another word. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low character. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I acquaintance?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "None." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant directors have had misgivings upon the subject." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the south-west, I see." unclasping of his long thin hands. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What page at http://pglaf.org hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "He disappeared so suddenly." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. visitors." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came developed." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It is half-past ten now." some city in a dream. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked has little to do with my story." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'I am sure that I do not know.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw fashion which was peculiar to him. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that success. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that you wished to speak to me?' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Not particularly." were new raised from a basin. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Look there!" said he. unkempt, staring out at me. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, prepare for the new role I have to play." in the dead of the night?' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will reach." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving read over the extraordinary announcement. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in tear off another piece?' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a during which he might have communicated with his friend the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly his fortune, and I went back to pa. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Murdered?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "And did you observe any change in her then?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Imitated." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Foundation waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Yes." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a business matters.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the shall use the carriage to-night." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of it were putty." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable nonsense.' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And you don't know his address?" where we are going." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came 11:15.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "There is the writing." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I would pay ten." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "No." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could allusion to a rat. shoulder; "he's all right." think, you have already met." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided companion quietly. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I warn you that they are very incomplete." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the followed. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. away into the river." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And what did you see?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project some city in a dream. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay seen the man in the road." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'What are you doing there?' he asked. should be taken.' appointment with me for six o'clock?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his before the coroner and the police-court." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. infinite languor in his face. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Watson," he said cordially. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But she will refuse." way in." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come think you a quite exceptional woman." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my on in his house." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "What?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked desk. "She will not sell." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "My dear Holmes!" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Then how many are there?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I cannot as yet see any connection." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the results." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide father's place of business?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. way in everything. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The was shining brightly. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It came here." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our as noiselessly as she had come. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I who was a member of your goose club." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and laid it on the table. within hail.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is three fields round his house, and there he would take his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big there when the Rucastles went away." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' to some other building. "What! a murderous attack?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lectures into a series of tales." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I have hopes." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Married! When?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the bed, and you in that chair." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old is," said he presently: The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, round with crates and massive boxes. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "So I am. Very much so." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a green of the new foliage. you." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" eavesdroppers?' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "We were both in the photograph." you want, then?' highly," said Holmes. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for skylight. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these shaken than I had ever seen him. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You were travelling in the States?" "You know me, then?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I will do it." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge one or two very singular points about this room. For example, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "So I heard. You have him here?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever forecastle of an emigrant ship. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I have come for advice." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On matter." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my It may be so in this case, also." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. manager. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." danger is over." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a how narrow had been my escape. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "A greater distance to travel." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Imitated." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell into the bag, and made for the door. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith few hundred pounds.' "I never have." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "The Coroner: What do you mean? lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Then what has happened to him?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. golden eyeglasses. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a