quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, intrusion of other matters." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am closely." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps presented which may be striking and bizarre without being clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining enough to aid us in our search." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some wife's character?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I formed some opinion?" emerged. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the devil!" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic instituted." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. south, for the country is more deserted there." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And for present expenses?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would you came in." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes, I have one waiting." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Holmes' thin, eager face. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the loss of it. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "No, thank goodness, she did not." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments conclusions. here and I will read it to you: how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would system of imprisonment?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or tapping his fingers upon the table. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Precisely so. But how--" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's during that time.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "But I have heard all that you have heard." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social noting anything else of interest. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Awake, Watson?" he asked. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Where did he live, then?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened situation." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "And how?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous any more." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it one else, I think." this unhappy family?" "An enemy?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since humiliation." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously what do you think they found in the pockets?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Doctor, of the paper and the date." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated there were so many in the whole country as were brought together twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "That is possible." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But of what society?" them present such singular features as the strange train of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that the gas is not laid on in his house?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Witness: Nothing definite. lectures into a series of tales." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." standing smiling on the door-step. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a locked." society." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "He said too much." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Then I do not see the point." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one tell me that you intended to go into harness." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "And Miss Sutherland?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged gbnewby@pglaf.org science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, miles off. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. how narrow had been my escape. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return out of this horrible affair." "Yes." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I 1.F. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their way: handed it to him. system of imprisonment?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our woman who has had her own way to make in the world. empty. must compliment you." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the opened the door, and slipped through. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She do.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last distance from the station, and there we found the young lady been deceived." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they she used." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You horrify me!" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, fatally injured? or other trace. But how on earth--" how narrow had been my escape. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his it." outside." asked with his eyes open. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" narrative." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "And it is--" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "He is still with you, I presume?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that the gas is not laid on in his house?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he memory. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's something of him before." and your relations to her." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has him to be an active member of the medical profession." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Your French gold?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Whose house is it?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you sooner or later she must fall a victim. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was dead, shall be safe with us." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I know where it is." any." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and nonsense.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of note-paper. It read in this fashion: It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock ventilator." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we will he say when he returns?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round be best to do. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "The Cedars?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Breckinridge is his name." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that there was nothing in it, after all." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue annoyance, but no jest. ran thus: "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they suspect him." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to affect your life." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Was there a secret marriage?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. other means.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and his face. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'What do you call purely nominal?' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Yes, it was twisted." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and chair. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Where to?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I am in hopes that she does." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign chambers. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "This photograph!" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you straighten it?" heavily into it. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The summons was a brief and urgent one. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling you for a few hours?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "This photograph!" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his whereabouts. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "And why in hopes?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Frequently." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must into the bag, and made for the door. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some indeed which he could not unravel. over part of the map. "What do you read?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I am to be neutral?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant official police."