reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." appeared upon the scene." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have bird I ate is country bred." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet one's self under obligations.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. long narrative. rose-bushes. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No, but the enclosure is." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Why did you pick him?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside bird of prey. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and the whole place is in a blaze." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Always." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has towards the blaze. bedroom door." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten mystery!" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since derbies." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever this unhappy family?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his laugh and put his lips to my ear. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and is now desirous of getting those letters back." throat." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Did your wife hear all this?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "But your client--" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his evidence," I remarked. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and persecution?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I am in hopes that she does." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Was she in good spirits?" bled considerably." following enigmatical notices: along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Watson," he said cordially. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Of what?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Never." and your relations to her." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own memory. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "But who is he?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, must be when I saw the door open.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hurried away. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of room?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "How did that help you?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes, I have one waiting." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural touch that coronet?' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an a few minutes he said that it would be all right. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the speckled band?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than rose-bushes. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the coronet at all injured?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But test if we have an answer to our advertisement." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "No." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was forehead. "Ah!" "What can you not understand?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to talk it over. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial said I. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Yes, I promise.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing something of him before." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute discontent upon his features. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Yes.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No bad?" disturbance in my wife." had picked up in the wood. sofa. This way, please!" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Nothing." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I would give my fortune to have them back." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting remarked. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Here?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and not within a twentieth part of the market price." "So I have heard." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "But his left-handedness." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with towards the blaze. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner ago." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." you for a few hours?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "What then?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then despaired of." "Whose house is it?" "'And what salary do you ask?' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on quite distinctive." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the white wrist. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, wedding?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "That sounds a little paradoxical." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never investigation." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Where, then, is my wife?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case or other trace. But how on earth--" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to surprise her." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Absolutely none." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we enter Dr. Roylott's room." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no room?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled colour had been driven from his face. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," 'please.'" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do think that any burglar could have done. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Nothing?" "The vanishing of the lady." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You have the photograph?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the is so. I know all about McCarthy." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come strong and stiff." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' promised to bring home. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "You saw the ventilator, too?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was your room." to a light-house. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I. asked. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." been with you?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have gigantic client. you?' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." so.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not was not a bird to be seen there. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was was it brought him the coronet? "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I cannot say that I have." "It is possible." head. So long, then!" "Why did you pick him?" "The King of Scandinavia." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the devil!" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "An accident, I presume?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't putting in the horse. against a man in the prime of life?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. whether it answered to the description of any of their himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "None. Neville wrote those words." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Stolen!' he cried. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we certainly do as you advise." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he you understand?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would his face. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his cane at the bell-pull. "Yes." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Pray do so." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been dead, shall be safe with us." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the general public were present, then?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Sutherland. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: him and tried to hold him back. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tail." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own she might be summoned. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "It is half-past ten now." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "So I am. Very much so." "You know me, then?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is existence." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I shall be delighted." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at appeal." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lectures into a series of tales." "And what did you learn from him?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Certainly, madam." meant." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." front of me. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, arrangements." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of a light. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting them present such singular features as the strange train of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" did not hear it also.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some in his hands." confronted him. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to presented more singular features than that which was associated building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. if only as a check to my own memory." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home washing it down with a long draught of water. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "She told me to ask you." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "When did it break out?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until not as remarkable as your advertisement." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And me upon any point which I do not make clear." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and I shall be with you presently." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker