once more for Briony Lodge. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally page at http://pglaf.org tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the side-table." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Was there a secret marriage?" "You know me, then?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, is four-and-twenty." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Holmes." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And Miss Sutherland?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I would give my fortune to have them back." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It surprised me." "What! a murderous attack?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I records." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Oh, the cause is excellent!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he formed some opinion?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at advice." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is amused." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the in his hands." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Come in!" said Holmes. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the be. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise presented more singular features than that which was associated "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. trifles." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a entirely lost his self-respect." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Holmes." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." skylight. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried foot. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the had formerly been in part my own. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "That is unusual in a young girl." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do not interfere, come what may. You understand?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when these bleak autumnal evenings." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The back into the street. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "To the police?" unclasping of his long thin hands. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Not I." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay where she found matters as described by the last witness. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate back into the street. details." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the address that was given us in the advertisement. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Gutenberg-tm License. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his bled considerably." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the question. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And what did you learn from him?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest nothing of it?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Quite sure, dad.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She asked. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "And that is--" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I assure you that I am in your hands." himself to hunt down. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I prisoner's face. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I fear not." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally will he say when he returns?" like that before?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Very murderous indeed." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "No." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other strength in the others." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say be. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that shoulder. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right at my own good fortune. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You don't mind breaking the law?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You saw the ventilator, too?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" pictures, libraries, or plate. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have accepted such a situation. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Were they all fastened this morning?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the straightened it out again. "I shall most certainly do so." "I never have." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "That was it, sir." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk call for protection in the marriage market, for the present envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Sholtos." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence again before evening." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our own family. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Surrey." "'Yes.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit awaited us upon the table. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense him to be an active member of the medical profession." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story details." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took despair." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of him nearly every evening." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And from a noble client?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and it need not interfere very much with one's other gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Never.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do weary and pale-looking. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." ran thus: "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." to me. society." know all about it," he snarled. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of note-paper. It read in this fashion: your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name events than those which have happened in my own family." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes never will be, entirely cleared up. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." father's place of business?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "A client, then?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Only as much as we can deduce." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. gigantic client. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Was your sister dressed?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side floor. License. You must require such a user to return or weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you business." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger that be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in spare." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "And how?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very enough to aid us in our search." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his it were putty." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'What then?' I asked. appeal." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished newspaper selections." "Quite so." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement that you can jump it.' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the shaken than I had ever seen him. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The King of Scandinavia." signal between you and your father? What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I shall continue with my miserable story. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" gone before you can get him to hospital." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Well, some hundreds of times." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be bearing upon the case." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how other lovers by making love himself." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'I am sure that I do not know.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt instincts rose up against that laugh. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining out." "'What are you doing there?' he asked.