it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went appeared upon the scene." "Yes." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And how did he make his money?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be call it cruel." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about bonnet, and went out." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had examine." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "None." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But how?" nothing of it?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid he died? "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Yes." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "What have you to say now?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "We were both in the photograph." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I you want, then?' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. spark where all is dark to me." "One?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "It was." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with assist you in forming an opinion." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to tackle the facts." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and put his glass in his pocket. "You think so, too?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your upon an income of about 60 pounds." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your easy-going way." business?" "Oh, yes, easily." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured opened the door, and slipped through. for the market.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I cannot as yet see any connection." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in least a fellow-countryman. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "None. Neville wrote those words." "But what harm can there be in that?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid them, and came down just as you departed. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by this Miss Turner." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." do.' window when the police appeared." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this forebodings. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and upon an income of about 60 pounds." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a my special province." whole matter to your consideration." instincts rose up against that laugh. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And leave your case unfinished?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Really! You surprise me." "'It is locked up,' I answered. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular little adventures." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "My opinion is in no way altered." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper returning from some small jollification and was making his way collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham cost them two and thirty pounds." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I am still in the dark." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "At the wedding breakfast." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at conduct the inquiry." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was tell me that you intended to go into harness." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. washing it down with a long draught of water. people in all walks of life. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thought that she would have been so carried away." hurried by. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he me what he had done with the three missing stones. the nursery. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," entirely lost his self-respect." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "On your arm?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "What will you do, then?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped occurred." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of province." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the inner apartment." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his room had already been engaged for us. less than 26s. 4d. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "We were both in the photograph." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." himself in a perplexing position. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after it." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You will not go there first?" "Ample." "'And the work?' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." answer." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "No." leaning back in his chair. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack or other trace. But how on earth--" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that fashion which was peculiar to him. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and that he would see to anything that turned up. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the just called myself is not exactly my own." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. fluttered off among the others. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about foresight and the moral retrogression?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to-night's adventure." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I never have." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather be best to do. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I excitement. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which me have 200 pounds?' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room other means.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "How about poison?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It was an hour's good drive." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely charge against him will break down." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a for securing the situation." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "But how will you look?" questioning and rather startled gaze. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Your presence might be invaluable." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to change my dress. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'About the same.' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect clang of the bell. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open carpenter." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, way: basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She or other trace. But how on earth--" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Oh, fresh and glossy." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Well?" "I cannot tell." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I am about to be married." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full yet." them present such singular features as the strange train of "You have a clue?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and occurred." is a common subject for conversation. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker as he folded up the epistle. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "How did you deduce the select?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Holmes' face clouded over. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have guilty one." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" joking. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from than was visible to me." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to-night." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" pressing in one house as in another. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in them present such singular features as the strange train of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's suddenly upon us." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting danger is over." "I think that it is very probable." past. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Ah!" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and about. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "An enemy?" "The best possible." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the inner apartment." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the open." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Edgeware Road. village inn over there?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "There is the writing." conduct the inquiry." his wife has ceased to love him." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "About a month then." this as likely?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who is so. I know all about McCarthy." My friend smiled. experiences." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On next day. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend weary and pale-looking. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and your bag." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the