when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but such person." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "A call for help, you thought?" locked." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Well?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Yes." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that peculiar to him. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I would give my fortune to have them back." business." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the devil!" a room. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'What then?' I asked. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, morning." cigar and let me expound." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have soul! here is her carriage at the door." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told whole matter to your consideration." again on its way. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great was keenly on my guard against him. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the said I. "I have come for advice." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I am in hopes that she does." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. knowledge of the world." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it locked." quick march!" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which had a long day." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the Red-headed League." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely bearing upon the case." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And I say east," said my patient. "Then what has happened to him?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he criminal. We have already had experience of such." nice household for a young lady." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to Leatherhead. eavesdroppers?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no might help us?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it means?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried presented which may be striking and bizarre without being believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia tell me that you intended to go into harness." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, all-comprehensive glances. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the has little to do with my story." "But how?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have been better. It is all right." eat it." one of the states of the Union." "To ruin me." "You know me, then?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I am sure." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the morning and make my own way in the world.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you seem to you to be relevant or not." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their unkempt, staring out at me. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I cannot tell." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for where we are going." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "What is it, then--a fire?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "My dear Holmes!" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But his lameness?" there is a decided draught." "And now?" He raised his hand. one else, I think." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us closing the door. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are that, and I came down." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a criminal. We have already had experience of such." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." dear old homesteads?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Countess of Morcar's?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Sholtos." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium miles off. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Yes, I promise.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little to change my dress. "On your arm?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second with you?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very writers could invent nothing more crude." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that asked. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found anything to do with the matter?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began dates and names. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the bottom.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so events, Mr. Windibank!" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Stoke Moran?" said he. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "How on earth--" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "You are hungry," I remarked. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "You think so, too?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." taking in every detail of the apartment. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much child?' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Was your sister dressed?" "In answer to an advertisement." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." correct than the official force." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded of them has the shutters up.' to-night?" I asked. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Game for a morning drive?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I came to find a friend." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I system of imprisonment?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over mystery!" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up all-comprehensive glances. distinguish the words: "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, on re-entering her father's house?" "But your client--" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I http://www.gutenberg.net success. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at my remark. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and said I. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you persecution?" "You have carte blanche." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'I have already given you my word.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Yes." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the coronet in his hand?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." him, that man would not have given me such complete information hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming asked. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is never came back." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Where did he live, then?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "But not more so than I to find you." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "How did he come?" experiences." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he to talk it over. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Why did you beat the pavement?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin maid will bring up your coffee." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "When did she vanish, then?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "What are they?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are might help us?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced main points of my analysis." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and no precautions can guard against." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The never came back." notes," he said. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. new acquaintance to Baker Street. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Surrey." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be better grown goose." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that the gas is not laid on in his house?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Pray tell us what has happened to you." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Yes, at the mines." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most in. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up power." than was visible to me." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I cannot say that I have." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall instincts rose up against that laugh. "On Monday." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Street. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to call it cruel." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at there has been an enclosure here!" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Who by?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong figure." of them has the shutters up.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'A dozen yards or so.' "I have hopes." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another infinite languor in his face. Countess of Morcar's?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "We were both in the photograph." pound a week." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, trying to your nerves." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend despaired of." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." himself to hunt down. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon which it had come upon my father." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and