"Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "You did not overhear what they said?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Why? What do you mean?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Doctor, of the paper and the date." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the best of training." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Perhaps we may make them less so." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'What, the red-headed man?' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and humiliation." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated had picked up in the wood. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Oh, yes, easily." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Not I." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Mary, has deserted me." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "What have you to say now?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right DAMAGE. whole matter to your consideration." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Street. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "What can you not understand?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found where Mr. Fordham shows you.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should cost them two and thirty pounds." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my house for five minutes.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and my secret was safe in his possession. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the address that was given us in the advertisement. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Whose house is it?" "'There is a drive, then?' into the room. companion. is a common subject for conversation. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival as he folded up the epistle. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, indeed which he could not unravel. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, 1.E.9. "Ah!" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. seen the man in the road." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Is purely nominal.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I never have." "Not yet." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that he will be back before evening." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Will you go?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with discontent upon his features. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and wait." "So I am. Very much so." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Mrs. Toller serenely. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three over here." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Certainly not. But why?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bears upon the case?" thirty. "Thank you. And your address?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and wait." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "That is not always so easy." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining silent! Oh, he will be silent!' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not matter over." "9th. McCauley cleared. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I beg pardon." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to chambers. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Well, it is a possible supposition." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "How did that help you?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "But she could not love him." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and a shock of very red hair. "10th. John Swain cleared. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon a handsome competence. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Where did you address your letters, then?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that crackling voice. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that?' of the vacancies.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, opened the door, and slipped through. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque seem to you to be relevant or not." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "And how have you succeeded?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "You'll never persuade me to believe that." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No legal papers or certificates?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am it." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was there in twenty minutes." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the your co-operation." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I I shall communicate with you." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and writers could invent nothing more crude." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "He disappeared so suddenly." and wait." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Yes." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "What?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what again, where I was soon asleep. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for introspective fashion. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely ventilator." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "What! You do not mean bodies?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? or in danger--" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I cannot think." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "And Irene Adler?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Nothing." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this laugh and put his lips to my ear. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Very. But will he see it?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I fear not." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock works. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried again before evening." with you alone." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Stolen." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I assure you that I am in your hands." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of them has the shutters up.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the name is different." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that you saw all that I did." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our hand, madam?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Eh? What was that?" Edgeware Road. even so self-evident a thing as that." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Who was the criminal, then?" really the only notable feature about the thing." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because ordinary clothes on?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat room. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I cannot tell." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm until night should bring an explanation. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too upon an income of about 60 pounds." enter into my head. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my some city in a dream. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press public press." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so quick march!" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Where did he live, then?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is opportunities to fix the problem. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'I have heard so.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One desk. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "That you are never beaten." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Pray be precise as to details," said he. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Sutherland?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide meant." eavesdroppers?' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "If so, much may have happened between." "Ha! you find it so?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." me." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "And how did you verify them?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he door?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was not a bird to be seen there. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Perhaps we may make them less so." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This appointment with me for six o'clock?" records." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Where is it, then?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was round with crates and massive boxes. Sutherland?" "To an end?" in his power. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with with her." of them has the shutters up.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just long narrative. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "How on earth--" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the which it had come upon my father." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Why did you beat the pavement?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off subject to the trademark license, especially commercial 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the morning and make my own way in the world.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?"