main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He is still with you, I presume?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would most interesting one." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm locked." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "To the police?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "What then?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Sholtos." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's my former friend and companion. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'What would be the hours?' I asked. fled together." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped present." "And Irene Adler?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than strength in the others." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to arrive at through this?" been deceived." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to said he. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked particular state visit http://pglaf.org "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would question," said Holmes, smiling. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Were they all fastened this morning?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. least a most suspicious remark." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I have hopes." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Here?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You are all wrong." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "At half-wages, in fact." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old presume?" "Then he might have called to you?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down 1.E.9. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. hurried by. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Why, it's a dummy," said he. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "That sounds a little paradoxical." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "And your father? Did you tell him?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." You want to know what became of those geese?" lips." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business entirely lost his self-respect." "'Where to?' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Why serious?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included imbecility!" he cried. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sufficient punishment." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots sit on the left-hand side of the driver." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce your sleep?' "What then?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the little opening for the ventilator is." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Upon what point?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that you." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her you." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." too. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of campaign. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business little adventures." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. learned something! Where are the gems?" Gutenberg-tm License. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate giving me time to thank him. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length to his chemical studies. dates and names. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without bill, which interests me deeply." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Yes, that is the Crown." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the article?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You think so, too?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said matter." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of Mr. Rucastle's." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Perhaps we may make them less so." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "At the wedding breakfast." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "But who is he?" are, and they are waiting for us." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Of Friday, June 19th." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a done what I asked you, Jones?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when garden below. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the matter?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I have it here in my museum." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its ready to-morrow?' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. directors, with the result that you have seen." row." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I say that I have solved it." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices presented which may be striking and bizarre without being had picked up in the wood. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I don't say that. Perhaps." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and confronted him. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. stood on the top of it. of the vacancies.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the room had already been engaged for us. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "And how in the world did you find them?" "VIOLET HUNTER." "Yes." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to new acquaintance to Baker Street. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was lame." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "On the contrary, this is the right side." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts my little problems." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after were wasted." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events this remarkable episode. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and them, and came down just as you departed. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Well?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I depend upon my doing so.' "By all means." flock.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House should be taken.' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hands. manager. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Very well, sir. And this stone?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some completely overtopped every other consideration that we both must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic this as likely?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "He said too much." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country his huge brown hands. other lovers by making love himself." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Tired-looking or fresh?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "My opinion is in no way altered." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my in him." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and your relations to her." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' villagers almost as much as their master. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, wall." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such him to go away.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest little trying to do so much typewriting?" rat could hardly pass through." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a should be taken.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" derbies." "'Where to?' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become wedding?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Not him." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and put his glass in his pocket. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Game for a morning drive?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor never will be, entirely cleared up. "It was." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no page at http://pglaf.org "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this conduct the inquiry." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Certainly not.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hour?' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prison!" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Yes, from Horsham." affection." train.' did not hear it also.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Yes, sir." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." narrative." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "My photograph." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "How did he come?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, but only for you and me." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a friends, not even his own brother. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I advice." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I have it here in my museum." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as amused." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And the cigar-holder?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do coroner's jury." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." bill, which interests me deeply." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'Ample.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which