"I will do it." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for evidence," I remarked. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "He is dead," cried several voices. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the chamber." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry I took the paper from him and read as follows: have an American origin." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and capable of preserving a secret.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "None." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. with the outside air!" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'I have heard so.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at our word." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "What have you to say now?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," chance." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just lips." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom I was concerned in it." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his careless servant girl?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which is a common subject for conversation. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally future lives." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they is worth.' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She unprecedented a position." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Holmes' room. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the maid will bring up your coffee." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "How do you know, then?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no where we are going." late!' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of house for five minutes.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And now?" He raised his hand. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "But you have hopes?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it? Did I buy the geese off you?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But you can know nothing of this?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and wait." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage you." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the coroner come to?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? call the police, let the police find what they can.' "What, then?" his knees, staring into the fire. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. once more to my work. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" experiences." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to have that photograph." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Thank you. Pray proceed." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those who was a member of your goose club." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "So I have heard." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I think that I had better go, Holmes." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "A call for help, you thought?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" name is different." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now round with crates and massive boxes. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was shining brightly. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." lamp. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they there were one or two details which were new to me. But the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I guilty one." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you?' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the Assizes." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "What I expected to see." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly woman." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on better in every way that they should make their position a little heavy and sharp instrument." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Entirely." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the companion. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I cannot imagine." your room." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as spark where all is dark to me." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, I have one waiting." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "On the contrary, this is the right side." nothing with him." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "And sit in the dark?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Where, then?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with within hail.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Street. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again indeed which he could not unravel. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of door?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" neither fascinating nor artistic." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his could not have written that. It is the German who is so whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think present strange and interesting features that it is no easy him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "And who is her maid?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we for its centre. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my placed his cuttings. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Stoke Moran?" said he. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of affair. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I your equipment. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And you can do nothing until then?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that you saw all that I did." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and effective." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'How far from the body?' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little galvanised. your Highness to the police-station?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better charged with?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said salesman. "But he might be a bachelor." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about side. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if attention." speckled band?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" desk. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the exactly what you advise." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The King stared at him in amazement. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the iron safe, which he closed upon it. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get business came to an end." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with whole matter to your consideration." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his villagers almost as much as their master. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The King of Scandinavia." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in his power. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was was already answered. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. have I gained?" case-book, which he consulted. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Yes, sir." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan advice." persecution?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going on re-entering her father's house?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get bare slabs of marble. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid said he. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "My photograph."