that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I shall be delighted." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to-night." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back outside." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Young McCarthy must be got off, however." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran such person." the very morning of the wedding." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "But you have hopes?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and looked back. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair really the only notable feature about the thing." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to have been novel and of interest." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" before the coroner and the police-court." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be brought there to personate someone, and the real person is About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. to affect your life." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Why did you pick him?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the running down." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, vanished into the darkness. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'What, the red-headed man?' redistribution. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" papers." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so crime." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "No." writers could invent nothing more crude." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained tail." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I am following you closely," I answered. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as weighed down with some great anxiety. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'A dozen yards or so.' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up know that the truth is known." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." in one or two places in England?' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many this unhappy family?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "This photograph!" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are your co-operation." shaken than I had ever seen him. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have is so. I know all about McCarthy." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? returning from some small jollification and was making his way red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be at home. "Very truly yours, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to all that?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. get the tickets." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous bird of prey. know what is wrong with it.' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout be.' him. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall bachelor.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I cannot as yet see any connection." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and lost nothing by them." lamp in his hand. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss never came back." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "And I say east," said my patient. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the six. Come in!" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found your equipment. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "No legal papers or certificates?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "My dear Holmes!" shoulder. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts minor matters until to-morrow." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my presume?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' at once, for I have only half an hour." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, mystery!" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into here and I will read it to you: "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Yes, it would be as well." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: wanted for ourselves." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "The doctor?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Really! You surprise me." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination gone. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Farm upon the left." "Thank you. Pray proceed." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms fire. You quite follow me?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. this remarkable episode. flock.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Street. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And how?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in unprofitable." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot happened." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. appeared upon the scene." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, at home. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, tension within him. confronted him. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. at a side door. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by tell him that I know him to be innocent." papers on the sundial.'" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter interests were the same as his." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an said he, "my real name is James Ryder." back into the street. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Indeed! Whose, then?" the side-table." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. cigars in the box." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," very old mansion. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to laugh and put his lips to my ear. crime. late!' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Ha! you find it so?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "So I heard. You have him here?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and I have it here in my museum." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Watson," he said cordially. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I cannot tell." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and that he would see to anything that turned up. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Your French gold?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was ago." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making that I may have something better before very many minutes are peculiar to him. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "In answer to an advertisement." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "That is possible." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Nearly eleven." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "No, my brougham is waiting." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "In what way?" asked Holmes. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional troubles have been weighing upon his mind. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "But of what society?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fire. You quite follow me?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You horrify me!" is a common subject for conversation. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently salesman. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so London for the present?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage begun to whiten, even as mine has." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "But how will you look?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots words came to my lips. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. matter over." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each death." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Where, indeed?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons that before taking the final step I should like to submit the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know said he. waste of energy." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down confronted him. criminal. We have already had experience of such." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of your Highness to the police-station?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and all of them with the keenest interest. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to which are rolled in Rotterdam." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I have hopes." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "What, then, did Peterson do?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Yes." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And how in the world did you find them?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable vanished into the darkness. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "So I have heard." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had completely overtopped every other consideration that we both way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must