will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Yes." your troubles." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "No. What a strange idea!" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Married! When?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much interest. They are important, you understand, without being time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." him to go away.' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who upon an income of about 60 pounds." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and fat-encircled eyes. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet foresight and the moral retrogression?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Yes." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "My photograph." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Indeed! Whose, then?" compunction about shooting them down." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "You think that he is dead?" business?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "And it is--" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and IS have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its strength of mind to control. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away his eyes and forehead. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Did your wife hear all this?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Why? What do you mean?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. success. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Dr. Becher's." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose get the tickets." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And woman who has had her own way to make in the world. knowledge of the world." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Not social, then?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "You were travelling in the States?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction outbreak?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were unprecedented a position." "And I say east," said my patient. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Pool. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. province." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" at a side door. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it interests were the same as his." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were my former friend and companion. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk nice household for a young lady." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel that I can to serve you." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set together. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it triumphant cloud from his cigarette. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "But what will you do?" 1.E.9. chamber." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Yes." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting foresight and the moral retrogression?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do again." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down for the market.' Heh?' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most excitement. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, exactly what you advise." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I don't say that. Perhaps." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and your relations to her." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I have solved it." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, charged with?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." them present such singular features as the strange train of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' gone. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Of what?" undoubtedly my uncle's." on in his house." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I ourselves in the office." drove away. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the business." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a side. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been you came in." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and have this put in the evening papers." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon the sideboard." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the driver. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should call you and give you the chance." name is different." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a room. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer question," said Holmes, smiling. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'I shall certainly be there.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to until night should bring an explanation. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in his hands." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see something of him before." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Very. But will he see it?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the conceal it?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the galvanised. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Ten will be early enough." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "The best possible." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive shoulder. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we any." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I cannot say that I have." "Did he not advertise?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "At what time?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Only as much as we can deduce." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. bearing upon the case." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Not I." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to cause to be." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and returned to France?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for http://gutenberg.net/license). Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed my friend's incisive reasoning. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, ordinary clothes on?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of at home. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. down. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Sutherland. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the coronet in his hands?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of to Leatherhead. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the go from here to the Strand." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a call the police, let the police find what they can.' Heh?' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Yes." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black or other trace. But how on earth--" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his chemical work which was so dear to him. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to never came back." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Entirely.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still business." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And did you observe any change in her then?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate about here speaks of his kindness to him." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy dramatic, in fact." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in something of him before." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is