correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end for its centre. "Tired-looking or fresh?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Leadenhall Street--and--" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. where she found matters as described by the last witness. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call strange features which were associated with the two crimes which sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for affection." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will noting anything else of interest. attention." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" of his shoulders. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both electronic works "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down along the entire front of the house, with three long windows his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the easy-going way." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, gigantic client. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "It must be recovered." to a light-house. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. again before evening." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, chance at all." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to his chemical studies. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. highly," said Holmes. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Tell me all about it,' said I. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would him and tried to hold him back. "Absolutely none." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was definite end. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I at my own good fortune. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of the vacancies.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been foot. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to-night's adventure." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the stable lane now." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass matter." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he golden eyeglasses. the room while you explain this matter?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my writer." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. tapping his fingers upon the table. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my interests were the same as his." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I wedding?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of Fenchurch Street." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and this unhappy family?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most footfalls from the street. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all have one." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "They are typewritten," I remarked. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I business." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a gone. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may taking in every detail of the apartment. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of the way of danger. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very public press." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Imitated." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small enter into my head. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as at once, for I have only half an hour." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, more terrible than the truth. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. pictures, libraries, or plate. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a to Leatherhead. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should had a long day." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as he folded up the epistle. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of at a side door. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I beg pardon." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been recall any case within my experience which looked at the first knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What! Had he lost his wife?" yet." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a dead, shall be safe with us." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, is now desirous of getting those letters back." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Of what day?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I will get her to show me." "Did you observe the colour?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the with you?" morning." carpenter." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that you saw all that I did." point in the dark hollow of his hand. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I see no marks." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "How did you deduce the select?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the morning and make my own way in the world.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that?' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass himself in a perplexing position. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Street. his eyes and forehead. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Seven!" I answered. lips." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Yes, I promise.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and unprofitable." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Pray do so." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the that I may have something better before very many minutes are his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "From his hat?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "By no means." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Arthur Conan Doyle not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of Mr. Rucastle's." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very than to us. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'And what salary do you ask?' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that there was nothing in it, after all." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "What steps will you take?" I asked. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you been shamefully used." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, learned something! Where are the gems?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I results." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of had formerly been in part my own. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. digesting their breakfasts at home." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature placed his cuttings. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Then the page we have seen--" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words could not account in any way for the presence of the missing more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "How did that help you?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon bore every mark of being an average commonplace British across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw affection." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I man. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I will not look." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of Fenchurch Street." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the highroad, where all traces were lost. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a said he. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the were unconscious?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is pound a week." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall go back?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to have been novel and of interest." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I am in hopes that she does." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in imbecility!" he cried. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the peculiar to him. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Her father is very rich?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure questioning and rather startled gaze. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "About a month then." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken was a loud and authoritative tap. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "My opinion is in no way altered." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You skylight. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Seven!" I answered. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my him to go away.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the dangers which encompass me." "Come in!" said he. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be down. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the