breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, he bowed and left the room without another word. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But she could not love him." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, point in the dark hollow of his hand. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided families. Now for the facts. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered occurred." and capable of preserving a secret.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'What, the red-headed man?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we must compliment you." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the been with you?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ordinary clothes on?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my following enigmatical notices: abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." them present such singular features as the strange train of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very which was all perfectly true. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, respectable self." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I say that I have solved it." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Pray do so." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" evidence," I remarked. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and maid will bring up your coffee." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the It may be so in this case, also." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to husband's writing, madam." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when about. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But not more so than I to find you." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do been deceived." "Upon what point?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran could gather together that I was able to avert another public week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really what do you think they found in the pockets?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for anything to a woman, for she would have her way." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Nothing?" disturbance in my wife." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "But what harm can there be in that?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I think you a quite exceptional woman." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have established a very serious case against the son of the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ways of our fellow-men." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Yes." we went to search for him, face downward in a little way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, father's young wife. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to arrive at through this?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'I have heard so.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety galvanised. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining second." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." 1.E.9. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could might help us?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the little opening for the ventilator is." meant it for the best. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "And it is--" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I am about to be married." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Why did you beat the pavement?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his indeed happy." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said our word." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, at the mines." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a yet." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "There are none." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and inquire as to the address." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, quickly through a disagreeable task. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Certainly." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. him and tried to hold him back. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You have the photograph?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a something of him before." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to place of silver." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the loss of it. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic occurred." served to weaken the effect. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the but preventing her from injuring another. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "He is still with you, I presume?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with province." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Oh, the cause is excellent!" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" companion imperturbably. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch ready to-morrow?' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You saw the ventilator, too?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my a little more before I quite committed myself. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these one of the states of the Union." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes, sir." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. less than 26s. 4d. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded desk. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. quickly through a disagreeable task. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Texas, I think." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Come in!" said Holmes. DAMAGE. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. she might be summoned. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Can I be of assistance?" be there in time for your coming." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes, sir." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the devil!" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard felt the room to be a little close.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. tension within him. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah young Openshaw's." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me fashion which was peculiar to him. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "My last client of the sort was a king." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Was he the only applicant?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she walking." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have country, and eventually married, without anyone having a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Then what has happened to him?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Nothing." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an London for the present?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'There is a drive, then?' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an little trying to do so much typewriting?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Who by?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and thin legs towards the fire. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of wedding?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Where could I find him?' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. highroad, where all traces were lost. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." key turn in the lock." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the my little problems." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I have seen the police." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. trying to your nerves." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they past. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." His name is Francis Prosper." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public already referred to. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he conclusions. pierced for earrings?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the vault. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I would pay ten." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no to-night's adventure." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Whose house is it?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you married her." "In which, sir?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Dark enough and sinister enough." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "An accident, I presume?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I than to us. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. few hundred pounds.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But you can know nothing of this?" emerged. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I will do it." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington letters?"