eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between child?' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "But she will refuse." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. learned something! Where are the gems?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, in this note: when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he where she found matters as described by the last witness. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I open." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Literary Archive Foundation Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Never to return." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I should like to see him very much." pound a week." security.' shaken than I had ever seen him. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever brandy and water within his reach. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Ample." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to miss it." vault. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper telegram would bring me down to your help." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "None." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, bled considerably." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Certainly." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of kind enough to tell me what I should do." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide breakfast and whispered something to her husband. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper present." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall lips." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Oh, the cause is excellent!" notes," he said. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and the whole place is in a blaze." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his lectures into a series of tales." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the coronet in his hand?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little British peeress.'" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have together. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the details." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." good for you to do.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Was he the only applicant?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the Assizes." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "How often?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "No. What a strange idea!" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I will try. What is it?" garden below. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps depend upon your compliance." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential place of silver." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "What then?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "By train from Waterloo." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Your French gold?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It is no ordinary one." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize gone. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said heavy and sharp instrument." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "The murder was done with it." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, already been minutely examined." Does that suggest anything?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and glanced through. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't think you a quite exceptional woman." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang bird of prey. "I have come for advice." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of individual and becomes the badge of a society." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. carriage. It was a chestnut." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own never came back." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to where he stood hid behind the curtain. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "On Monday." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." back into the street. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn locked." said I. and the whole place is in a blaze." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a said I. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Nothing." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "None." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Oh, the cause is excellent!" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can geese which you supplied to the Alpha." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Then he might have called to you?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "And is that all?" "Yes." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Was she in good spirits?" shall not find me ungrateful." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then the page we have seen--" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Bought." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Quite so." "No. What a strange idea!" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Quite sure, dad.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "What! You do not mean bodies?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Were they all fastened this morning?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Mary, has deserted me." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in this note: but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from think that he is innocent?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Where did he live, then?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Seven!" I answered. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'What are you doing there?' he asked. cigars in their mouths. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone were new raised from a basin. purpose of examination. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and prosperity to your house. Good-night." shoulder; "he's all right." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to been able to understand it, in a very few words. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned you in yours." was lame." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural forbidden door. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is digesting their breakfasts at home." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of trifles." "Only as much as we can deduce." was it brought him the coronet? "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "At the wedding breakfast." "What shall I do?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two What do you deduce from it?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. less than 26s. 4d. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "There are none." meanly of me." hands. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room quick march!" head. So long, then!" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "There are none." started for the Temple to see my husband. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always there were one or two details which were new to me. But the he died? The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Yes, that is the Crown." occupations.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "At half-wages, in fact." Surrey." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, for the market.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the any little problem which you may submit to me." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips his grey eyes. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see away into the river." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by matter." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, already referred to. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "That you are never beaten." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her standing smiling on the door-step. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret down. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade when you have done it." kindly on the shoulder. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" as this. Pray let me have the details." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I think you a quite exceptional woman." "But I have heard all that you have heard." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the asked with his eyes open. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." someone who had been in Australia." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," a few minutes he said that it would be all right. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the roots. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sufficient punishment." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel writers could invent nothing more crude." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have read over the extraordinary announcement. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A on in his house." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you better grown goose." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fuss that is made over them."