even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his face. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the figure." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed imbecility!" he cried. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in questionable one." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "In which, sir?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' as this. Pray let me have the details." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided sentimental considerations in the background which would induce slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet completely overtopped every other consideration that we both roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the said he. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "The knees of his trousers." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I will get her to show me." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Your sister is dead, then?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Not in a good cause." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal this poor creature." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the garden below. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And leave your case unfinished?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. shall use the carriage to-night." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect may have an influence upon European history." here." "I cannot tell." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. residence of the great financier. "I am following you closely," I answered. "Well, it is a possible supposition." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling think you a quite exceptional woman." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. which it had come upon my father." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe gone. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news business at Coburg Square is serious." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE had formerly been in part my own. all?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the against a man in the prime of life?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "How are you getting on?" "'And the work?' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' him and tried to hold him back. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot strength." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. memory. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a client, rising. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." indeed which he could not unravel. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' chair. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up on in his house." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he mysterious end." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which child?' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I am all attention, madam." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Was she in good spirits?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly introspective fashion. imbecility!" he cried. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "But who is he?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was trifles." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the Red-headed League." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. brandy and water within his reach. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low important." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring digesting their breakfasts at home." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Of what?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they is now desirous of getting those letters back." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No legal papers or certificates?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always fire. You quite follow me?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so them?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the best of training." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Leadenhall Street--and--" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "We have tried and failed." as this. Pray let me have the details." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is such attractions and accomplishments?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling at my own good fortune. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they goes." matter over." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way how narrow had been my escape. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I promise," said Holmes. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What are they?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "How did that help you?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is no ordinary one." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet tied." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "And you don't know his address?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Pray do so." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he 'please.'" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the existence." "Yes, only one." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it disturbance in my wife." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "A confidential servant?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon mystery." know that the truth is known." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean it were putty." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the south-west, I see." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and to tell." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Texas, I think." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such hands. has little to do with my story." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I clanging. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "What is it, then--a fire?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then I can wait in the next room." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." I nodded to show that I had heard. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to Leatherhead. the stable lane now." "'I shall certainly be there.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "In heaven's name, what for?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lumber-room." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' there is a decided draught." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "How did you trace it, then?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "By all means." you?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" it were putty." night.' said he. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "One of his hands." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I assure you that I am in your hands." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a people in all walks of life. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from married her." ready to-morrow?' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his