I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could come either from the window or the door. My attention was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the rose-bushes. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave instincts rose up against that laugh. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step outside. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, I have one waiting." "That is it on the dressing-table." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled without success. At last the little money which I had saved began eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "So it appears." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in is," said he presently: was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as little adventures." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'Where to?' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and For additional contact information: basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of receipt of the work. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I shall most certainly do so." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in drawing your inferences." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to-night?' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat passage and a tap at the door. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. some terrible trap for her." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good absorbing." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "What can you not understand?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Witness: I must still refuse. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. beyond words. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow them?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, woven round him. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock outside. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner main points of my analysis." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the coronet in his hand?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the that there was nothing in it, after all." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I do." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the criminal. We have already had experience of such." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are events than those which have happened in my own family." fasten all the windows?" investigation." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "That you are never beaten." that, and I came down." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' II. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "The rest you will leave in our hands." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I approached. forehead. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered know what is wrong with it.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and knowledge of the world." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open pictures, libraries, or plate. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, or other trace. But how on earth--" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "An accident, I presume?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Deserted you?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Game for a morning drive?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "But how will you look?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was said I. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and salesman. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson speckled band?" emerged. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "My private note-paper." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove details." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover weary and pale-looking. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, back alive. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "It came here." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society child?' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better peculiar to him. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" wife's character?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Pray do so." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cost them two and thirty pounds." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I was sure that I might rely on you." that he will be back before evening." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Surrey." my former friend and companion. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Again Holmes raved in the air. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Sutherland?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not fit the lock." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he will be renamed. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the devil!" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who were wasted." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Cross for the Continent." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated lost his Christmas dinner." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had learned something! Where are the gems?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, orange pips. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the warnings." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. made his money." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Sutherland?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I main points of my analysis." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Look there!" said he. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we outsides of the windows. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon villagers almost as much as their master. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Pray do so." "Yes." foresight and the moral retrogression?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they fuss that is made over them." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very locked." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Very good.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a said Mr. Holder. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Stolen." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce drawing your inferences." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on against a man in the prime of life?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always distance from the station, and there we found the young lady telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the roused himself from his reverie. your troubles." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a records." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and put his glass in his pocket. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with even of instruction." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied second." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project himself to hunt down. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but telegram would bring me down to your help." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Not yet." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yes, but only for you and me." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until will he say when he returns?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bird I ate is country bred." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I have a cab outside." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and all of them with the keenest interest. lamp in his hand. enough to aid us in our search." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "So I have heard." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE promised to bring home. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. know that the truth is known." "Nearly eleven." "The doctor?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon yourselves in at night?" "It is solved." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." face and glided from the room. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my instituted." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have round and wave him away like that.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than undoubtedly my uncle's." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time my room." "And how?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Count Von Kramm." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what on re-entering her father's house?" that I can to serve you." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we stood on the top of it. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had carried out of court." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to colour had been driven from his face. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Precisely so. But how--" been." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly http://www.gutenberg.net seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and made his money." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "One of the highest in England." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen your own bird, so if you wish--" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Not him." Cross for the Continent." matter." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it house for five minutes.' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Ample." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and that he would see to anything that turned up. easy-going way." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have anything to do with the matter?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the