without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Upon what point?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Certainly, madam." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks you understand?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them back alive. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that do.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." peculiar to him. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And leave your case unfinished?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." new duties?' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue village inn over there?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It was." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, washing it down with a long draught of water. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon in the hope of finding them." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was like that before?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy crime. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "There are none." look dissatisfied." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to be. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "My Mary? Impossible!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as hour?' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I cannot say that I have." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, in this way: Holmes' room. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a newspaper selections." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." one which it was hard to resist. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have had none more fantastic than this." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in business." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "How did that help you?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the dangers which encompass me." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, happened." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need or other trace. But how on earth--" "Stolen." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You have carte blanche." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as next day. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, clanging. "'Then let me do so?' signal between you and your father? His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to chambers. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I cannot tell." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ready to-morrow?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked 1.F. populous neighbourhood." "Will you go?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then I do not see the point." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit be best to do. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same with some details as to your case." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I don't say that. Perhaps." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was within hail.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an call for protection in the marriage market, for the present first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hard-headed British jury." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You have but to name it." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I will, Miss Turner." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I am in hopes that she does." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I see many objections to any such theory." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hurried away. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Yes, all." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "She told me to ask you." gone. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been felt?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Here?" where we are going." ceremony." province." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'In my own bureau.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, less than 26s. 4d. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "He is dead," cried several voices. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to speckled band?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." definite end. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "How often?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Yes?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Precisely so. But how--" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What! You do not mean bodies?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. where she found matters as described by the last witness. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness footfalls from the street. back to my heart. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and the church but not where the lady lived." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "At the wedding breakfast." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the only touch the interest." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in been." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most here and I will read it to you: exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of Mr. Rucastle's." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I beg pardon." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' down. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up few hundred pounds.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we light and attacked it." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that touch that coronet?' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. galvanised. Gutenberg-tm License. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same could gather together that I was able to avert another public public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have money should be paid at once.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. was not a bird to be seen there. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the better grown goose." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wanted for ourselves." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." both be extremely obliged.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in upon the sideboard." closely." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the again, where I was soon asleep. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's his huge brown hands. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have off." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have should be so warm over such a trifle." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body whatever might befall. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "In what way?" asked Holmes. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, highly," said Holmes. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "When did she vanish, then?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open learned something! Where are the gems?" outsides of the windows. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "About a month then." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Come in!" said Holmes. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid something of him before." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "She showed me, as I told you she would." once more for Briony Lodge. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Yesterday." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I long narrative. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. over part of the map. "What do you read?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on lamp in his hand. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your