"'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a just ask you whether you had heard it.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the her also." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'I shall certainly be there.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "How on earth--" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two it." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between made his money." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "In the cells." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Certainly." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how to Leatherhead. "'Most admirably.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I think that I could be of assistance to you." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "He is still with you, I presume?" orange pips. "Where to?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary I think that I could be of assistance to you." "It missed him, then?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it points to suicide?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an you." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you?' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and or in danger--" what I may call a really hard day's work." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "About a month then." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of his shoulders. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the were unconscious?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You are all wrong." was a perfect sample of the class. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "But how?" "But it has twice been burgled." "Well." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to take care of herself." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy your sleep?' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately brandy and water within his reach. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have established a very serious case against the son of the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger like that before?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sound at heart." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well system of imprisonment?" Holmes' face clouded over. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of into the room. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you important." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And on what day did he meet his death?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official and capable of preserving a secret.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the fluttered off among the others. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "On Monday." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and heavily into it. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. been deceived." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "But how?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pressing in one house as in another. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Not particularly." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes, it would be as well." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City matter over." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Project Gutenberg-tm works. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and attention." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Well?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to charge against him will break down." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is have got?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Yes, sir.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." enter into my head. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, true." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No, I had a dozen." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a leave you to your papers for a little." call it cruel." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "He is still with you, I presume?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the devil!" then?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "My stepfather's business papers." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Yes." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Yes, all." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a through." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The leaning back in his chair. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, reach." His smile broadened. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." back into the street. business?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Yes.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a spark where all is dark to me." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she noble correspondent could be. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Ha! you find it so?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He washing it down with a long draught of water. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "A client, then?" "'You cannot say what it was?' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from nights." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his seen the man in the road." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pressing in one house as in another. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "The knees of his trousers." once more. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Seven!" I answered. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front fish-monger and a tide-waiter." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect giving me time to thank him. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It missed him, then?" be there in time for your coming." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in away to you." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "On your arm?" emerged. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may matter over." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower since then to throw any light upon what became of him." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Where, then, is my wife?" affection." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little did not hear it also.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily present." "I am still in the dark." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the inquest, and which are worth considering." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. round and wave him away like that.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, our word." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and never to learn it at all." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." closing the door. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Only as much as we can deduce." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no address. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the hands. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Very murderous indeed." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Proceed, then." closing the door. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to talk it over. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much on re-entering her father's house?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall what these perils are?" over with notes and figures. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers discontent upon his features. of his shoulders. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "My photograph." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming tassel actually lying upon the pillow. was already answered. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to your equipment. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to out." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I do." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman indiscretion." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "No more words. Get out!" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. written. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and may have an influence upon European history." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the salesman. you in yours." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet legal crime." crackling voice. "Get out!" said he. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I have hopes." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I say it is." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I promise," said Holmes. lamp in his hand. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could behind me. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the better in every way that they should make their position a little "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "But how did you gain them?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "No, thank goodness, she did not." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of