with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the address that was given us in the advertisement. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his your bag." within hail.' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California started for the Temple to see my husband. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I have my revolver," said I. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "The vanishing of the lady." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the fishes. you understand?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, copied or distributed: room. light and attacked it." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see prison!" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I province." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Yes." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless place no limit on the sum I may draw." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. tied." one of the states of the Union." a room. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin direction." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "And when will you call?" "It is possible." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though sound at heart." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not in this way: little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" look upon these things in a different way." "I was sure that I might rely on you." meant it for the best. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are begun to whiten, even as mine has." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. joking. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey not within a twentieth part of the market price." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "So it appears." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending own family. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the roots. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, burst out into a roar of laughter. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Why? What do you mean?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The King stared at him in amazement. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Witness: Nothing definite. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Was the window open?" speckled band?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. will be renamed. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads cause to be." and no precautions can guard against." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "An accident, I presume?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "That is not always so easy." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "He said too much." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It is very clear." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that danger is over." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "What can you not understand?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That is unusual in a young girl." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of interest. They are important, you understand, without being vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Ample." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own our word." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful important." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes. He waved his hands." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you stepfather?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "No sign of it?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "To the police?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Quite sure, dad.' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Has he come with you to-night?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our away into the river." taking in every detail of the apartment. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up presented more singular features than that which was associated "We were both in the photograph." and no precautions can guard against." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. fluttered off among the others. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right thin legs towards the fire. "'Which dealer's?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I will try. What is it?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the populous neighbourhood." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "That is possible." despair." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But she will refuse." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was recover the gem." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of advice." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the salesman. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given address. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely excitement. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far morning." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "What then?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "At the wedding breakfast." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. must compliment you." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." mystery!" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Never to return." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The desk. before, for it was considerably after midnight. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "In heaven's name, what for?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I dramatic, in fact." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he quite distinctive." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a heavily into it. never came back." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, remarked. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Pray be precise as to details," said he. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "What I expected to see." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. individual and becomes the badge of a society." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Have you it here?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure McCarthy's innocence. again." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Count Von Kramm." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I guessed as much." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." goes." chill to my heart. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I existence." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. whatever might befall. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I think that it is very probable." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable prisoner's face. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I say that I have solved it." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! assist you in forming an opinion." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was used.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Very truly yours, "'As governess?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the warnings." walking." away to you." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But the mystery?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Then I am your man." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. neither fascinating nor artistic." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "He is dead," cried several voices. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "But his lameness?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my purpose of examination. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the father's place of business?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Lee, in the county of Kent." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may affair. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure allusion to a rat. situation." "I should like to see him very much." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Breckinridge is his name." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "No sign of it?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of campaign. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. most interesting one." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Will you bet, then?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "And you thought he was pulled back?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard which we had just quitted. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from there is a decided draught." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his guilty parties." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his you." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "And what then?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round