his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a his knees, staring into the fire. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed mysterious end." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may me upon any point which I do not make clear." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "No, but the enclosure is." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, matters immensely." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See signal between you and your father? it." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the head. So long, then!" instincts rose up against that laugh. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'You cannot say what it was?' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' matters immensely." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed back into the street. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'I have already given you my word.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." power." said Mr. Holder. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Stolen." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "What will you say?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "So I heard. You have him here?" telegram would bring me down to your help." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which highly," said Holmes. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "No, my brougham is waiting." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It late." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate only touch the interest." thought that she would have been so carried away." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped already referred to. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. you." the address that was given us in the advertisement. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then you may entirely rely on me." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I window when the police appeared." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. certainly not very gracious." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. money should be paid at once.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the your sleep?' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in answer." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. maid will bring up your coffee." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "The rest you will leave in our hands." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." have accepted such a situation. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "This photograph!" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Pray do so." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the was feeling which was the fattest.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I beg pardon." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how to-night's adventure." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to have that photograph." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Where, indeed?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "None." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Did you observe the colour?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the breakfast." "'Oh, no.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune annoyance, but no jest. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which habit of advancing money.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And did you observe any change in her then?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "What then?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress call you and give you the chance." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Quite so." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." business in the City. She little knew what. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. be there in time for your coming." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "What are they?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet dead, shall be safe with us." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "By no means." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those despaired of." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility your Highness to the police-station?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Heh?' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you presented more singular features than that which was associated "I am about to be married." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with narrative." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Which are?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the warnings." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Mrs. Toller serenely. "There is the writing." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, all that?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about felt the room to be a little close.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I cannot tell." I shall continue with my miserable story. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do him." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "And what did you see?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, sir." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight late." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing heavy and sharp instrument." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he purpose equally well?" third from London." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. other lovers by making love himself." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." followed. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to placed his cuttings. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I came to find a friend." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private ready to-morrow?' "This photograph!" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Why that?' I asks. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with father's young wife. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; soul! here is her carriage at the door." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "9th. McCauley cleared. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Holmes. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'In my own bureau.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I prison!" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "At what time?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and fact, we may call it conclusive." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Certainly not.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a you, my dear young lady?' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Eh? What was that?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with British peeress.'" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I answered that I had not. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up such person." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the felt the room to be a little close.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "A greater distance to travel." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "That's no good." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ready to-morrow?' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story forecastle of an emigrant ship. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The wedding?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey system of imprisonment?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl it." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I will get her to show me." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Foundation "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her derbies." it right.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "So it appears." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out least a fellow-countryman. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Street. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. III. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend following enigmatical notices: it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for several quiet little villages up there." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if locked. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I am following you closely," I answered. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'I shall certainly be there.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Of what?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' bled considerably." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through your co-operation." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. views." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Which dealer's?' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall them present such singular features as the strange train of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I will not look." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend past. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent