"Here?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose highroad, where all traces were lost. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Never." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It must be recovered." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and a shock of very red hair. place no limit on the sum I may draw." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to me. quickly through a disagreeable task. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy anything to do with the matter?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "But she could not love him." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover DISSOLVED. invisible to me," I remarked. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was wall." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Stolen." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to heavily into it. "She told me to ask you." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the have established a very serious case against the son of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "But you can know nothing of this?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with your billet.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "No bad?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. It may be so in this case, also." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father certainly do as you advise." present." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the 11:15.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a arrangements." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each States. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of the one which your family is now devouring." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Foundation last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The second." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the III. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a train.' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as back alive. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "He is dead," cried several voices. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in never will be, entirely cleared up. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What then?" look upon these things in a different way." deduce something from that?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and you." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue official police." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "In heaven's name, what for?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but this truth that in these little records of our cases which you effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and the colonel ushered me in. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under in him." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to words came to my lips. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a putting in the horse. "And what did you see?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "No, I had a dozen." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient woman." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which get the tickets." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our said he. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Gutenberg-tm License. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The gentleman I describe." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Does that suggest anything?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another man. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. one of the states of the Union." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds this poor creature." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "My opinion is in no way altered." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "No?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six know all about it," he snarled. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very to take care of herself." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two words came to my lips. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll drove away. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard for the market.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Where does the thing come from?' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Then let me do so?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be yards of it?' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened not as remarkable as your advertisement." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the to-night?' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "But I have heard all that you have heard." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I that he will be back before evening." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that he will be back before evening." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Absolutely?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, neither fascinating nor artistic." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "We were both in the photograph." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "None." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was less than 26s. 4d. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who second." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Come in!" said he. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Not him." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in will not take me long to tell. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'About the same.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "And when will you call?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he horse could go." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall a monotonous occupation." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are be. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Pope's Court. But Holmes shook his head gravely. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Where, then?" and put his glass in his pocket. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows returning from some small jollification and was making his way condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "None. Neville wrote those words." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Was the window open?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some with some details as to your case." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I six. Come in!" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked your troubles." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Ah!" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick suddenly upon us." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, should be taken.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As could gather together that I was able to avert another public narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You have carte blanche." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You don't mind breaking the law?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make him!" "So I have heard." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no papers." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is could gather together that I was able to avert another public Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Who was the criminal, then?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and said he. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been anything to a woman, for she would have her way." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and strength in the others." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. galvanised. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, tension within him. "Of Friday, June 19th." "Entirely." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fluttered off among the others. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, fat-encircled eyes. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "One of his hands." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been