her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Yes, he did." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Now, then, what's the last entry?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your look dissatisfied." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my depend upon your compliance." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those furiously. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and laid it on the table. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without quickly through a disagreeable task. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." cigars in the box." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and dead, shall be safe with us." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to at a side door. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. trying to your nerves." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. advice." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But how?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." there is a decided draught." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the one as in the other." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the on re-entering her father's house?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, think, you have already met." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from never to learn it at all." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sufficient punishment." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." house for five minutes.' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my help us in this matter." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that again, where I was soon asleep. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." out." new acquaintance to Baker Street. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he empty. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And how did you find out?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I guessed as much." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Nearly eleven." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Pope's Court. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "No, but the enclosure is." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had 1.E.9. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Dark enough and sinister enough." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it she slowly sank and died without having recovered her outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Do you receive much company?" he asked. business matters.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes, at the mines." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous feature." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly voice, changing her seat as requested. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you any." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, might help us?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their ways of our fellow-men." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But his left-handedness." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But who is he?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the in. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Witness: It was. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Where could I find him?' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. vanished into the darkness. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Certainly." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Perhaps we may make them less so." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to some other building. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, rose-bushes. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the fashion which was peculiar to him. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. yet." "Quite so. She has her freedom." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Doctor, of the paper and the date." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on been with you?" have been better. It is all right." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the that "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have locked." himself. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know morning." and a shock of very red hair. villagers almost as much as their master. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Why that?' I asks. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you want, then?' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the is," said he presently: "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was already answered. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor must compliment you." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You know me, then?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely remarked. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And how did you find out?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Does that suggest anything?" was lame." gone. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had tightly behind him. to that open window." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "But not more so than I to find you." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the warnings." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me client, rising. "And now?" He raised his hand. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "From his hat?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. reach." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do he bowed and left the room without another word. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "No more words. Get out!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white test if we have an answer to our advertisement." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Quite so." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the trifles." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob carriage. It was a chestnut." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in his power. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "To the police?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and have this put in the evening papers." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "What!" he roared. "My own seal." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on you?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I don't believe it." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Won't it ring?" occurred." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It keep the flames under. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Then I do not see the point." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible to go into your room and bar your shutters?" your bag." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in the hope of finding them." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush foresight and the moral retrogression?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband geese which you supplied to the Alpha." presented more singular features than that which was associated elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that You want to know what became of those geese?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "My stepfather's business papers." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of young Openshaw's." "To the police?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did fire. You quite follow me?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon bell. Holmes whistled. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Do you go out much in society?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks straightened it out again. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Was the window open?" "It is solved." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was test if we have an answer to our advertisement." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid over his head with a sweet womanly caress. your most interesting statement." strength in the others." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The summons was a brief and urgent one. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every most interesting one." "Yes." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Does that suggest anything?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several telegram would bring me down to your help." companion quietly. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the window, rose as we entered. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its lamp in his hand. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises me, and I could not think that his explanation of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who excitement. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Eh? What was that?" to-night?' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "But we can't all be." remarked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "And it is--" "A client, then?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous words came to my lips. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be him and tried to hold him back. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good remarked. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the warnings." "Nearly eleven." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall one else, I think." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we address. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Your French gold?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "But not more so than I to find you." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "What do you make of that, Watson?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad.