our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in his power. drawing your inferences." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, it means?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "No, I had a dozen." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the trifles." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain said he. "You saw the ventilator, too?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the night.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Which are?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them than was visible to me." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Yes, the wine-cellar." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You are hungry," I remarked. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the nursery. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever upon the shelf for the interim." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Nothing?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who danger is over." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless signal between you and your father? "And your mother is alive?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my read it out to me." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure green of the new foliage. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. not personally threatened." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It was an hour's good drive." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching do." "Certainly, madam." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "We have tried and failed." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "And how did you verify them?" "We must have a cab." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a he. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "What is it?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings started for the Temple to see my husband. people in all walks of life. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his man. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "What! a murderous attack?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." mysterious end." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Why? What do you mean?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian empty. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at companion imperturbably. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I will get her to show me." over part of the map. "What do you read?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I shall communicate with you." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. over here." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And I to find an enemy." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the your sleep?' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'There is a drive, then?' "Precisely so. But how--" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "That is unusual in a young girl." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in morning." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and that he would see to anything that turned up. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for you in yours." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "The knees of his trousers." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Did you become engaged then?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in this note: residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened not come at once?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of think that any burglar could have done. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." goes." through." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "In what way?" asked Holmes. giving me time to thank him. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an you in your example." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and is worth.' there is a decided draught." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from have not had my rubber." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the writers could invent nothing more crude." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, the cause is excellent!" you?' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You breakfast?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My his grey eyes. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Then I shall certainly come." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Quite so." and a shock of very red hair. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his cane at the bell-pull. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking best detective that ever lived. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Well, some hundreds of times." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then grasp, he hurried from the room. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Very. But will he see it?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently not within a twentieth part of the market price." asked with his eyes open. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every singular points about the case. What did the police think of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. suspect him." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Won't it ring?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "You have carte blanche." "How did that help you?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our situation." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Will you bet, then?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "What!" he roared. the date of his supposed suicide." "None. Neville wrote those words." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Did you become engaged then?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson with frightened eyes at his accuser. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in walking." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And you can do nothing until then?" This is what he says: and inquire as to the address." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "My private note-paper." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'I am sure if I had known--' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance good for you to do.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of the one which your family is now devouring." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Then, as to money?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed for its centre. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I nodded again. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and official police." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I say it is." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes, sir." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Perhaps we may make them less so." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and shall probably return to London by the evening train." if she died from some sudden fright." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I had a long day." this unhappy family?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows better in every way that they should make their position a little examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural happened." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the persecution?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what lectures into a series of tales." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been clang of the bell. "If so, much may have happened between." tightly behind him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were meant it for the best. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land with you?" help us in this matter." "You saw the ventilator, too?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler four million human beings all jostling each other within the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Doctor, of the paper and the date." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in this note: "To ruin me." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But your client--" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sofa. This way, please!" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a it right.' matter over." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, do you make of it all?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'And what salary do you ask?' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "It certainly sounds feasible." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from just ask you whether you had heard it.' of Fenchurch Street." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Street. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." people don't know." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many man. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case charge against him will break down." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked too. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "A call for help, you thought?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened noting anything else of interest. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "A call for help, you thought?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight