of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and do." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Watson," he said cordially. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The King stared at him in amazement. was keenly on my guard against him. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have affection." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa important." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. coat-tails." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a London for the present?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'You cannot say what it was?' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my case-book, which he consulted. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let be sorry for having acted so harshly." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "But you were on a friendly footing?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "It must be recovered." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a all that?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the future lives." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes strong and stiff." residence of the great financier. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Where did he live, then?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness conversation I have gathered that they have been married about tied." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as correct than the official force." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "In the cells." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Stolen, then." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious asked with his eyes open. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You have the photograph?" "It is very kind of you." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical shall use the carriage to-night." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and too. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, fear." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known power." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah happened." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "But I have heard all that you have heard." even of instruction." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, over here." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." when your master had gone out." fat-encircled eyes. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Why did you pick him?" "You will not go there first?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the carried out of court." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to surprise her." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the lamp in his hand. you in your example." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You horrify me." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the peculiar to him. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside joking. leave you to your papers for a little." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "There is the writing." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Most admirably.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you tell them apart.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Leave Paddington by the 11:15." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Mrs. Toller serenely. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to depend upon your compliance." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "What then?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, take the flies, but not before." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will he bowed and left the room without another word. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Nothing." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better like that before?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, forehead. meant." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you?' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "But your client--" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this before, for it was considerably after midnight. was it brought him the coronet? lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can foresight and the moral retrogression?" Foundation the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Yes." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding meanly of me." it." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that silent! Oh, he will be silent!' once more. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I was mad--insane." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her union?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon was lame." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to some other building. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Not social, then?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to tension within him. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very dear old homesteads?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Then he might have called to you?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this will be renamed. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with views." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, locked. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common crackling voice. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets some city in a dream. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "You did not overhear what they said?" giving me time to thank him. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "No, I had a dozen." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'I am sure that I do not know.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Was the window open?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes one which it was hard to resist. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." lumber-room." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You are hungry," I remarked. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning went to the Alpha were town bred." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his or in danger--" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Pray do so." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that tear off another piece?' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Yes." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." papers on the sundial.'" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of your billet.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I cannot imagine." in his hands." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me bedroom door." into the bag, and made for the door. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond hopeless attempt at recovering them." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I say it is." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I shall continue with my miserable story. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hair?' distinguish the words: be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "None." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Did your wife hear all this?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner this truth that in these little records of our cases which you knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "No sign of it?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. could not have written that. It is the German who is so status with the IRS. "Where, indeed?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Look there!" said he. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and joking. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I do." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of there when the Rucastles went away." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, girl said." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a straightened it out again. meant it for the best. in his power. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "And now?" He raised his hand. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER possible that we could bring him back to her? "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out ourselves in the office." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Mary, has deserted me." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Holmes' face clouded over. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that she to prove their authenticity?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her not fit the lock." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your official police." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Game for a morning drive?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I warn you that they are very incomplete." have I gained?" "But I have heard all that you have heard."