"You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the little opening for the ventilator is." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "How on earth--" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I think it very unlikely." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "The vanishing of the lady." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Not social, then?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Ten to two.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I quickly through a disagreeable task. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to answer." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a morning." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered forebodings. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Your French gold?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be footfalls from the street. some water from a caraffe. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It was an hour's good drive." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the written. be best to do. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through obstinate." before the coroner and the police-court." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of kindly on the shoulder. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, outbreak?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an than to us. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Certainly." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother constraint." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable putting in the horse. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "She walked into the breakfast-room." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the dead, shall be safe with us." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "How did that help you?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, round with crates and massive boxes. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between weapon." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "On Monday." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Precisely." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, them?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass him!" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her reach." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his any little problem which you may submit to me." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "How do you know, then?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You have compromised yourself seriously." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: carried out of court." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. it." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'You cannot say what it was?' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a later, upon the night of May 2nd." kind enough to tell me what I should do." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Yes, sir.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a stepfather?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the key turn in the lock." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, like that before?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "On your arm?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of them has the shutters up.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a have I gained?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Certainly not. But why?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "You think so, too?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and he. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I cannot tell." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he results." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Murdered?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." ways of our fellow-men." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there go back?" village inn over there?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the highly," said Holmes. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove be best to do. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I will not look." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock himself in a perplexing position. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ventilator." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and room?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in not come at once?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense begun to whiten, even as mine has." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "My dear Holmes!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Did you become engaged then?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of your young ladies.' answer." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, that I may have something better before very many minutes are "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you understand?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "It is solved." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," whatever might befall. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past London for the present?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I have hopes." woven round him. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No?" "No, but the enclosure is." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. even so self-evident a thing as that." This is what he says: very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Where could I find him?' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, foresight and the moral retrogression?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of forebodings. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in this way: "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "A call for help, you thought?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook is," said he presently: past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'You cannot say what it was?' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. bearing upon the case." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Witness: I must still refuse. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" it. "And now?" He raised his hand. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet redistribution. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I shall be delighted." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Come in!" said Holmes. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hour?' depend upon your compliance." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and as the one I chose?' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, it." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and http://gutenberg.net/license). posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger quick march!" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You tightly behind him. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes mystery." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my me. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am who was a member of your goose club." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. promised to bring home. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "What will you say?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend for and were ordered to this address. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Never." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Not I." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I have seen the police." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Sholtos." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a some terrible trap for her." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "That is possible." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for persecution?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have