upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in a room. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said strong reason behind." with her." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the King without delay." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told 1.F. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Was she in good spirits?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save already referred to. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." digesting their breakfasts at home." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Yes, from Horsham." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bonnet, and went out." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes, that is the Crown." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their distinguish the words: low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said your billet.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to guilty one." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Then I shall certainly come." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the dangers which encompass me." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I shall communicate with you." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the Red-headed League." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at dead, shall be safe with us." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "My dear Holmes!" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Did you observe the colour?" "Game for a morning drive?" fact, we may call it conclusive." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every how narrow had been my escape. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, standing smiling on the door-step. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I know where it is." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE front of me. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You horrify me!" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's DAMAGE. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. situation." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into point our research must commence, and we will begin it by would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" morning." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a our word." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they eat it." you." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "How do you know, then?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. morning." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No bad?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official this man was intellectual?" "'I shall certainly be there.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself putting in the horse. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Yes." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his photograph a cabinet?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' DAMAGE. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "What! a murderous attack?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have established a very serious case against the son of the again, where I was soon asleep. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'I am sure that I do not know.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And Miss Sutherland?" persecution?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past away into the river." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. beg that you will break it off." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" paper in the air. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the very morning of the wedding." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't outsides of the windows. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank of." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to remarked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Dirty?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have established a very serious case against the son of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the devil!" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young there was no need for father to know." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I have solved it." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was not a bird to be seen there. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pressing in one house as in another. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, here and I will read it to you: in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." question," said Holmes, smiling. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as just called myself is not exactly my own." ourselves in the office." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves look dissatisfied." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and something of him before." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a status with the IRS. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in the port of London." garden below. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I was afraid that you were engaged." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Dr. Gregory B. Newby "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite within hail.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital instincts rose up against that laugh. it." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, upon an income of about 60 pounds." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have so far?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally It may be so in this case, also." least a most suspicious remark." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have he died? other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to-night's adventure." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of directly by questioning you." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and pressing in one house as in another. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. touch that coronet?' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid through." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Entirely." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his of his shoulders. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "What can it mean?" I gasped. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "But how?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I will get her to show me." "I should wish to." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Pray do so." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Why serious?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Not in a good cause." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. papers diligently of late, have you not?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "My dear Holmes!" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, delighted to hear it," he said. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "A call for help, you thought?" Foundation "Nothing." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in reach." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel this poor creature." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I never have." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, yourselves in at night?" showing my impatience. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with gigantic client. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I cannot tell." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our night.' said he. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the driver. "What! a murderous attack?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it visitors." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Doctor, of the paper and the date." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Of what?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, used to be." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to affect your life." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, respectable self." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Pray be precise as to details," said he.