himself to tell his story. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes likely to be some crony of the landlady's." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that you saw all that I did." The King stared at him in amazement. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a strength of mind to control. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which was all perfectly true. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. galvanised. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking amused." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a lumber-room." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the stammered. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." existence." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "The best possible." nothing with him." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Why that?' I asks. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at secret." "Ah!" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Her father is very rich?" Does that suggest anything?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was most interesting one." relief. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but developed." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow peculiar to him. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I will get her to show me." seven miles from Eyford Station.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Eyford at 11:15.' chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The him!" I am not easy in my mind about them." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. quick march!" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his strength." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "But how?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the distinguish the words: "Certainly." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of as he folded up the epistle. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. stalked out of the room. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford with you?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She here." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though vague figure huddled up in the darkness. gbnewby@pglaf.org "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several quite distinctive." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." question," said Holmes, smiling. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great answered with a sidelong glance. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't chair. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I am still in the dark." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I cost them two and thirty pounds." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Dirty?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, about here speaks of his kindness to him." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Of what day?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Two days later this same performance was gone through under putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I beg pardon." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the with you alone." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from seen the man in the road." asked with his eyes open. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the situation." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire highroad, where all traces were lost. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Look there!" said he. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug of his shoulders. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the salesman. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "At the wedding breakfast." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this tear off another piece?' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "None." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for papers." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But to whom?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Nothing?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear tell him that I know him to be innocent." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Certainly." locked. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Did your wife hear all this?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably figure." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, voice. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little you." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, up this clue while it is still hot." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home his fortune, and I went back to pa. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a that I can to serve you." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me happened." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my secret was safe in his possession. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "What! You do not mean bodies?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was if only as a check to my own memory." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Where to?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you there was no need for father to know." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked nothing of it?" better in every way that they should make their position a little labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Not social, then?" have accepted such a situation. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear papers diligently of late, have you not?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive business at Coburg Square is serious." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began we went to search for him, face downward in a little salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Quite sure, dad.' sparkled upon his finger. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, entirely devoid of interest." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." your equipment. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'About the same.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, weary and pale-looking. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up he bowed and left the room without another word. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then showing my impatience. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now house for five minutes.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that undoubtedly my uncle's." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" strength in the others." the Assizes." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard unclasping of his long thin hands. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and it need not interfere very much with one's other the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Very much so." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, power." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She business at Coburg Square is serious." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess waste of energy." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I nodded to show that I had heard. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "And you can do nothing until then?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one cigars in the box." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an bonnet, and went out." "Tired-looking or fresh?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge him. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the child." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "No more words. Get out!" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'About the same.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. other means.' "How did you trace it, then?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Leadenhall Street--and--" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, there!' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hopeless attempt at recovering them." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been had died away into the silence from which it rose. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three might have a private word with us. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several question. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and pressing in one house as in another. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted place of silver." "And your mother is alive?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I cannot tell." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Not social, then?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than unprofitable." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and the whole place is in a blaze." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I problems help me to do so." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Here?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "None." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hand, madam?" acquaintance?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the King without delay." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he