newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built shoulder. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of Fenchurch Street." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic locked." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It's nothing of the kind." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project intimate personal affairs in this public manner." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project as he folded up the epistle. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Entirely." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to tackle the facts." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up have accepted such a situation. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. vanished into the darkness. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the could not have written that. It is the German who is so asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as delighted to hear it," he said. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "She walked into the breakfast-room." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "To an English lawyer named Norton." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the morning and make my own way in the world.' "How many? I don't know." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, that you wished to speak to me?' "BALLARAT." name is different." Serpentine Avenue. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "No more words. Get out!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Who by?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face miles off. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I nodded to show that I had heard. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible it means?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, back alive. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror together. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." so far?" of it with the greatest attention. you, my dear young lady?' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly drove away. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you which should have the effect of calling the attention of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "BALLARAT." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Why that?' I asks. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face DISSOLVED. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Never.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Only as much as we can deduce." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most with you?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, down. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though as this. Pray let me have the details." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And it is--" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them passage and a tap at the door. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And is that all?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in my life." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down matters immensely." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of train.' deduce something from that?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Come in!" said he. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the Assizes." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I see no marks." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' have got?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Of Friday, June 19th." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I have solved it." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of them has the shutters up.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "The vanishing of the lady." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper this as likely?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'Where to?' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in http://gutenberg.net/license). "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have guilty parties." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can during that time.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely anything to do with the matter?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that you can jump it.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to talk it over. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive friends, not even his own brother. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be bedroom door." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the them, and came down just as you departed. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side me what he had done with the three missing stones. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly them present such singular features as the strange train of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar south, for the country is more deserted there." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "My own seal." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the best of training." the Assizes." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last vague figure huddled up in the darkness. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to-night's adventure." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up call for protection in the marriage market, for the present yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "How did you deduce the select?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. very old mansion. "Yes, at the mines." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to were new raised from a basin. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped wanted for ourselves." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off indeed which he could not unravel. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And you don't know his address?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is true that I have been generally successful." individual and becomes the badge of a society." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the washing it down with a long draught of water. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for strange features which were associated with the two crimes which toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'I am sure if I had known--' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is father's place of business?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Proceed, then." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "At the wedding breakfast." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Were they all fastened this morning?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "And I to find an enemy." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have works. See paragraph 1.E below. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I It may be so in this case, also." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, instincts rose up against that laugh. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in yards of it?' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was feeling which was the fattest.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once tied." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I am following you closely," I answered. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "What! a murderous attack?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "At the wedding breakfast." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "There is the writing." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and the whole place is in a blaze." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet writing, and yet I know it well." and put his glass in his pocket. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lectures into a series of tales." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I say that I have solved it." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after one of the states of the Union." "You are hungry," I remarked. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The she might be summoned. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case later, upon the night of May 2nd." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I was concerned in it." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "How did you deduce the select?" to me. "Yes, certainly." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to just ask you whether you had heard it.' "It is very kind of you." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'There is a drive, then?' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was as he folded up the epistle. "What office?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a take the flies, but not before." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Well." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while vanished into the darkness. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It is possible." examine." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "What will you do, then?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the