he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "And why?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "And I say east," said my patient. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in point in the dark hollow of his hand. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net fact, we may call it conclusive." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in is a common subject for conversation. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I would give my fortune to have them back." goes." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "About a month then." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this poor creature." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of tell him that I know him to be innocent." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Chief Executive and Director twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'What, the red-headed man?' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'I have already given you my word.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy you for a few hours?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square is acting for the best. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Street. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Not I." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered important." wife's character?" "'Never,' said I. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in national property. I was determined that the law should have its from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since place no limit on the sum I may draw." this unhappy family?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Did you become engaged then?" "Will you go?" your sleep?' recover the gem." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, papers diligently of late, have you not?" you?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, sooner or later she must fall a victim. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Quite so." "On your arm?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Where could I find him?' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, there has been an enclosure here!" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to to have that photograph." chill to my heart. important." "What of the rat, then?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It is no ordinary one." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The as he remarks, very much against the son." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking spare." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to Leatherhead. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my McCarthy." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Indeed! Whose, then?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the station." "I am about to be married." all-comprehensive glances. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and 1.E.9. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "But how?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "So it appears." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Never." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and bill, which interests me deeply." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in clang of the bell. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I 11:15.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Have you it here?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Arthur Conan Doyle stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What will you say?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Not I." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of pressing in one house as in another. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But she could not love him." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "But how?" careless servant girl?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Not particularly." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "You have it, sir, just as it happened." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was he bowed and left the room without another word. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in would apply.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as have got?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Where to?' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and orange pips. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something future lives." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a with the outside air!" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From existence." yet." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And why?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of outsides of the windows. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out returning from some small jollification and was making his way Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "By no means." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted be sorry for having acted so harshly." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' you?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel my secret was safe in his possession. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Most admirably.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You don't mind breaking the law?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Arthur Conan Doyle and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I shall most certainly do so." him!" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I know where it is." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "But she could not love him." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "How are you getting on?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who fasten all the windows?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I morning." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "This photograph!" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about which was all perfectly true. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else conduct the inquiry." the stable lane now." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a photograph?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the upon a handsome competence. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An colonel looking down at me. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Pray let us have it, for all that." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her affair. done what I asked you, Jones?" matters immensely." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "She walked into the breakfast-room." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes, it was twisted." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't gone before you can get him to hospital." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Holmes' room. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "She will not sell." His name is Francis Prosper." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the obstinate." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he families. Now for the facts. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. McCarthy." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman London for the present?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo head. So long, then!" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained past. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But you can know nothing of this?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Then what has happened to him?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'And the work?' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads round with crates and massive boxes. "How on earth--" Holmes' face clouded over. fire. You quite follow me?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and,