"'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact few hundred pounds.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Mrs. Toller serenely. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both companion quietly. Heh?' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands anything to a woman, for she would have her way." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very nice household for a young lady." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Always." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been get her out of the way." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I corner of the building. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Which are?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "No." to-night's adventure." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of will take you up to see the machine.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "An enemy?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "How many? I don't know." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the chamber." sake, don't!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." who was a member of your goose club." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Yes.' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of Mr. Rucastle's." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two gigantic client. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I was afraid that you were engaged." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a have not had my rubber." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I took the paper from him and read as follows: no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in said I. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard paper in the air. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down weary and pale-looking. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached said he. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and will he say when he returns?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and your relations to her." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'There is a drive, then?' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Ample." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has you in your example." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Perhaps I have." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Then the page we have seen--" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the question," said Holmes, smiling. Miss Holder?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a walking." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And the murderer?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Chief Executive and Director the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, within hail.' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I vanished into the darkness. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from one's self under obligations.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Was your sister dressed?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It surprised me." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me developed." "I cannot think." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Yes, it would be as well." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "No." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas quickly through a disagreeable task. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, waste of energy." "My dear Holmes!" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the stable lane now." believe that I should never have any practice at all. formed some opinion?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in his power. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a into the bag, and made for the door. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, to a more successful conclusion." stood on the top of it. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new leave you to your papers for a little." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You did not overhear what they said?" "I cannot imagine." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being in a friendly supper." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" disappearance of the bride.'" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to back alive. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then putting in the horse. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted approach us with offers to donate. article?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the crowd. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gives a meaning to it." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Holmes. off." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had of your young ladies.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to miss it." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." felt?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "No good news?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be have had none more fantastic than this." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "It came here." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Never.' chemical work which was so dear to him. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes, all." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And that is--" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name certainly not very gracious." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Leadenhall Street--and--" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 maid will bring up your coffee." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I was concerned in it." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for families. Now for the facts. observed. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "He said too much." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "You think that he is dead?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Pool. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, compunction about shooting them down." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I have a cab outside." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "About a month then." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is awaited us upon the table. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Why? What do you mean?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. other means.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Will you go?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Pool. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts third from London." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to himself to hunt down. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling there in twenty minutes." "No, finished." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unkempt, staring out at me. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been congratulate you again." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they footfalls from the street. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sutherland?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty help us in this matter." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and all?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite coroner's jury." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet License. You must require such a user to return or simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ door?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to arrive at through this?" present." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save along the entire front of the house, with three long windows shall use the carriage to-night." I leave." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Why did you beat the pavement?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the started for the Temple to see my husband. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in putting in the horse. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Come in!" said he. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Entirely.' sufficient punishment." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Well?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in his hands." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "And now?" I asked. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and inquire as to the address." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and it need not interfere very much with one's other "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." asked. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is results." particular state visit http://pglaf.org chemical work which was so dear to him. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the signal between you and your father? laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, at my own good fortune. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this ways of our fellow-men." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, felt the room to be a little close.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly