from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank corner of the building. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. he died? "You saw the ventilator, too?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the one which it was hard to resist. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Where could I find him?' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch that I can to serve you." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I cannot think." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long October 9, 1890. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, whether it answered to the description of any of their fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Your presence might be invaluable." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own entirely lost his self-respect." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows back to my heart. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And Irene Adler?" there." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Not in a good cause." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among front of me. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And Irene Adler?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Stolen." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Well, but China?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and a shock of very red hair. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but most interesting one." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of your young ladies.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the so-precious time, but come!' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, could gather together that I was able to avert another public formed some opinion?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few plantation.' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" beg that you will break it off." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "But I am all in the dark." "Certainly." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Tired-looking or fresh?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would note?" both be extremely obliged.' Where does the thing come from?' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "And on what day did he meet his death?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident congratulate you again." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was hurried by. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at coat-tails." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to arrive at through this?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Holmes, the busybody!" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call is a common subject for conversation. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a are windows in it, of course?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped your most interesting statement." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Well, some hundreds of times." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not it." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an sneer upon his pale face. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, dates and names. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I have seen the police." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." ran thus: until night should bring an explanation. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is with you?" "Witness: It was. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the dear old homesteads?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Where to?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Yes, that is the Crown." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "And sit in the dark?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. visitors." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes, I have one waiting." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for outbreak?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'And the work?' made his money." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some giving me time to thank him. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre advice." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Will you bet, then?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over child?' enough to aid us in our search." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the developed." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather said I. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a words came to my lips. this man was intellectual?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is closing the door. I held the little printed slip to the light. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. important." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But how will you look?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for disappearance of the bride.'" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Yes." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "A greater distance to travel." "You have the photograph?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and notes," he said. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to take care of herself." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Not yet." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon made his money." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to Leatherhead. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Which dealer's?' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than back to my heart. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled gbnewby@pglaf.org sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the back to my heart. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, sound at heart." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been you." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pierced for earrings?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version was already answered. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back advice." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could was already answered. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary confronted him. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But who is he?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Where is it, then?" again on its way. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were several quiet little villages up there." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and that he would see to anything that turned up. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely place of silver." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You own family. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with whatever might befall. the inquest, and which are worth considering." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his copied or distributed: age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project upon the sideboard." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear point our research must commence, and we will begin it by whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." your bag." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't be sorry for having acted so harshly." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to been deceived." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Get out!" said he. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." existence." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." away into the river." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in one or two places in England?' strength." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. shoulder; "he's all right." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "ARAT," I read. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "At half-wages, in fact." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards read it out to me." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. your billet.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed may have an influence upon European history." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a made his money." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street.