circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I she to prove their authenticity?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? meanly of me." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Yes." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "In answer to an advertisement." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old despair." "But what will you do?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Not in a good cause." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Dr. Gregory B. Newby we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been infinite languor in his face. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the very morning of the wedding." that you saw all that I did." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Where is it, then?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will have one." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Very truly yours, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Yes, the wine-cellar." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of for and were ordered to this address. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about My friend smiled. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, address. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have not had my rubber." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw without a word or a look. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the general public were present, then?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Then I shall certainly come." the salesman. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm means taking possession of that which another person has a prior brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each outsides of the windows. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." at once, for I have only half an hour." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "How long did she speak to this Alice?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." allusion to a rat. "Yes." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'And the work?' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our spark where all is dark to me." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you will he say when he returns?" asked. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the derbies." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was strength of mind to control. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I was afraid that you were engaged." in darkness. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Nothing?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have knowledge of the world." was lame." results." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "And how did you verify them?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It is no ordinary one." there when the Rucastles went away." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Here?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true written. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as is now desirous of getting those letters back." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It morning." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I say that I have solved it." "Yes, only one." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the be.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I cannot say that I have." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It's nothing of the kind." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a monotonous occupation." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down it with his own hands." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Eh? What was that?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I would pay ten." of the vacancies.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to III. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Nothing." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It surprised me." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the salesman. the roots. dramatic, in fact." "Proceed, then." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most lamp. "No, thank goodness, she did not." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "No, I had a dozen." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the digesting their breakfasts at home." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes, they were peculiar boots." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Have you good authority for what you say?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and long narrative. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came unprofitable." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of meant." emerged. address. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Yes, it was twisted." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if there was no need for father to know." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." October 9, 1890. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am during which he might have communicated with his friend the "From his hat?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, woman." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must said he, "my real name is James Ryder." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at crackling voice. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her papers must be those that are destroyed.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "By no means." upon the shelf for the interim." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." it. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Nothing." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a tied." his forehead." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Farm upon the left." "Well, but China?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." asked. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and what I may call a really hard day's work." plantation.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under affair. heavily into it. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a suggestive one." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained national property. I was determined that the law should have its Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Where does the thing come from?' "At the wedding breakfast." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up woven round him. without a word or a look. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And the murderer?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very bachelor.' the Red-headed League." in the port of London." gone. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The doctor?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable national property. I was determined that the law should have its heavy and sharp instrument." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the inner apartment." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be James Windibank. Voilà tout!" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and that he would see to anything that turned up. "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." will take you up to see the machine.' the roots. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he one of the states of the Union." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I your room." Miss Holder?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And I say east," said my patient. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "No, thank goodness, she did not." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Again Holmes raved in the air. "I would give my fortune to have them back." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Holmes rather sternly. "Bought." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and I shall be with you presently." "No, finished." did not hear it also.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "At the wedding breakfast." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when people don't know." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and files of the old papers, following the future career of every quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'There is a drive, then?' "And how did you verify them?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we attention." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." made his money." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney occupations.' is a common subject for conversation. "Who was the criminal, then?" do." of campaign. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by gbnewby@pglaf.org the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down became a certainty. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very shoulder; "he's all right." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found copied or distributed: man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And how?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the 11:15.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I approached. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "May I see it?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "It is very clear." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "ARAT," I read. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried way in." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fasten all the windows?"