young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain as this. Pray let me have the details." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm matter over." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "A thing like a cleaver," said he. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Farm upon the left." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to his chemical studies. "Which are?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so there were so many in the whole country as were brought together how narrow had been my escape. will he say when he returns?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" DAMAGE. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late your bag." "Oh, yes, easily." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was 'please.'" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since might have a private word with us. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to your equipment. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through British peeress.'" legal crime." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." see me here to avoid scandal." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "And how?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the narrative." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would voice, changing her seat as requested. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and you in your example." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace at my remark. chance at all." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed locked." "He said too much." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of some water from a caraffe. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Absolutely?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This as noiselessly as she had come. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "But his left-handedness." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be orange pips. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "BALLARAT." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business hard-headed British jury." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my public press." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for morning." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the devil!" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Ah!" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there me. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Count Von Kramm." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" is," said he presently: to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But how?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "What then?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps depend upon your compliance." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have tail." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down States. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an might help us?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. outsides of the windows. "Won't it ring?" have had none more fantastic than this." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "You horrify me!" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This orange pips. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing or in danger--" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of more terrible than the truth. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which should have the effect of calling the attention of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What of the rat, then?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Oh, yes, easily." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the dangers which encompass me." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a little more before I quite committed myself. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "No sign of it?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "That was it, sir." "A client, then?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your where Mr. Fordham shows you.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Yes." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry an introduction to him?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I think it very unlikely." with frightened eyes at his accuser. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But the mystery?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed name is different." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "He said that you could solve anything." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "But his left-handedness." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him spare." page at http://pglaf.org hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and the church but not where the lady lived." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the politicians who had been sent down from the North. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little his eyes and forehead. have got?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the child." guilty one." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the jewels which you have stolen?' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "What will you say?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Precisely so. But how--" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the touch that coronet?' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Countess of Morcar's?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to go--none." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest noble correspondent could be. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "The doctor?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it yourselves in at night?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then if I call to-morrow?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I see many objections to any such theory." question. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never away into the river." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Here?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to fear." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. there was no need for father to know." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, But Holmes shook his head gravely. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I have it here in my museum." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Ten will be early enough." "No, I am descending." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I will not take me long to tell. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a stalked out of the room. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "My last client of the sort was a king." in his power. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And who is her maid?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I would pay ten." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "So I have heard." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an words came to my lips. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has my friend's incisive reasoning. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears out of this horrible affair." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "At half-wages, in fact." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "To an end?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You have compromised yourself seriously." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Deserted you?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all comes from the middle window." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which records." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I will do it." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." States. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the overpowering excitement and concern. politicians who had been sent down from the North. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "What can it mean?" I gasped. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Edgeware Road. "But we can't all be." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the something of him before." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "So I heard. You have him here?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. least a most suspicious remark." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to a light-house. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque invisible to me," I remarked. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "In which, sir?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I will do it." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "He said too much." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her done what I asked you, Jones?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "To an end?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque light and attacked it." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I should be immensely obliged to you." friend's singular character. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I say it is." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sentimental considerations in the background which would induce them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the nice household for a young lady." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see will not take me long to tell. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet once more to my work. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hands. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful putting in the horse. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet three fields round his house, and there he would take his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I see no marks." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would yet." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in my life." I took the paper from him and read as follows: a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight."