could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence weary and pale-looking. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Where, then?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I would give my fortune to have them back." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And leave your case unfinished?" hand, madam?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you fear." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "But I have heard all that you have heard." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." direction." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him you for a few hours?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." giving me time to thank him. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'I have already given you my word.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving have been better. It is all right." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the side-table." of his shoulders. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And your father? Did you tell him?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have written, and locked the door of the office after me. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip should be so warm over such a trifle." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At maid will bring up your coffee." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are his forehead." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for then?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "But I am all in the dark." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Just look it up, then." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Heh?' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a particular state visit http://pglaf.org that I can to serve you." you." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better British peeress.'" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob he bowed and left the room without another word. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I cannot imagine." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a success. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive it means?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." he bowed and left the room without another word. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "How about poison?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the very morning of the wedding." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Oh, yes, easily." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The purpose equally well?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It is solved." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this disappearance of the bride.'" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, instituted." "'Oh, no.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Indeed! Whose, then?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is until night should bring an explanation. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "May I see it?" certainly do as you advise." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, you came in." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It is half-past ten now." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you that?' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." throat." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are as yours." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the warnings." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to take care of herself." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two figure." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "You are hungry," I remarked. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I see no marks." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hour." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat present." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah him and tried to hold him back. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible purpose equally well?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off bird of prey. "The King of Scandinavia." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It was an hour's good drive." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Was he the only applicant?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the south, for the country is more deserted there." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, which our visitor detailed to us. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as when you have done it." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." a monotonous occupation." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of the way of danger. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable 'please.'" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure whereabouts. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed have been better. It is all right." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "There are none." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have could gather together that I was able to avert another public expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." all that?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all brain must have something in it." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of the one which your family is now devouring." time." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "What?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "No." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Again Holmes raved in the air. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, yet." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. just called myself is not exactly my own." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It was an hour's good drive." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If me what he had done with the three missing stones. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I promise," said Holmes. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that cigars in their mouths. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Stolen, then." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water forecastle of an emigrant ship. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and your relations to her." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond your Highness to the police-station?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his directors, with the result that you have seen." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need in. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" upon the shelf for the interim." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding recover the gem." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek footfalls from the street. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "They are typewritten," I remarked. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Get out!" said he. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was fat-encircled eyes. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Could he throw no light?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Certainly." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. just ask you whether you had heard it.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me closely." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this carried out of court." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save showing my impatience. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Could he throw no light?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have I gained?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little which we had just quitted. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House said he. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be extraordinary contortions. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "How about poison?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying conclusions. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It is his hat." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Cross for the Continent." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your sound at heart." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the with the outside air!" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner of the one which your family is now devouring." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very main points of my analysis." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." so.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "And how did you verify them?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I promise," said Holmes. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'What, the red-headed man?' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "By no means." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "It's nothing of the kind." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black shaken than I had ever seen him. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Did your wife hear all this?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the coronet at all injured?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped guilty one." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like daring than any effort of the imagination." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." very morning of my second wedding." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the recover the gem." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, system of imprisonment?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little