is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. house for five minutes.' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Really! You surprise me." in the dead of the night?' has little to do with my story." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and wait." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite disturbance in my wife." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, could not have written that. It is the German who is so from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin next day. delirious. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little not use it unless it is absolutely needed." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." deduce something from that?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. feature." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Yes, he did." bears upon the case?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, asked. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No good news?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, wife's character?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It is very kind of you." enter into my head. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It is very clear." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "My dear Holmes!" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. giving me time to thank him. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The decline of his fortunes, then?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" bare slabs of marble. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and in darkness. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And what did you learn from him?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." interests were the same as his." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable drove away. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I think it very unlikely." "What then?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was hair?' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "That you are never beaten." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into stammered. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And what did you learn from him?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "How did that help you?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Could he throw no light?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. will he say when he returns?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Yes.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Never." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned suggested at once that there must be a communication between the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon tear off another piece?' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is a murder, then?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see said I. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Most admirably.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be had this final quarrel? discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes, certainly." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the south-west, I see." sneer upon his pale face. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that the gas is not laid on in his house?" child?' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be like that before?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Quite sure, dad.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and formed some opinion?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set fat-encircled eyes. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "No. What a strange idea!" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" were wasted." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this stood on the top of it. had picked up in the wood. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this waste of energy." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Yes, only one." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the hour?' "In answer to an advertisement." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very all that?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." his face which made him a very different person to the round, money should be paid at once.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should be there in time for your coming." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a woven round him. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that you can jump it.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Why? What do you mean?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the bachelor.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There tell them apart.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Witness: I must still refuse. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You horrify me." washing it down with a long draught of water. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed walking." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Street. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I was mad--insane." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of II. be sorry for having acted so harshly." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this throat." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he died? "Oh, fresh and glossy." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through visitors." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, go from here to the Strand." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not enough to aid us in our search." bare slabs of marble. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "No. What a strange idea!" beyond words. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling crime. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make him!" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours trifles." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little all that?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "How on earth--" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Why serious?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised politicians who had been sent down from the North. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a little more before I quite committed myself. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? enough to aid us in our search." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." during that time.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do situation." have got?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from my room." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sake, don't!" client, rising. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said page at http://pglaf.org seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Not I." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush go back?" "What of the rat, then?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his your troubles." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and the whole place is in a blaze." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which was all perfectly true. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was away to you." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the said he. "Entirely." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable drawing your inferences." the King without delay." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Who by?" or other trace. But how on earth--" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who such person." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in second." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, province." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." for and were ordered to this address. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "What then?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important leave you to your papers for a little." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the visitors." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I people don't know." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious little trying to do so much typewriting?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the round and wave him away like that.' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite away into the river." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Why did you pick him?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a