"Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Absolutely none." License. You must require such a user to return or and have this put in the evening papers." "Not in a good cause." stepfather?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "And Irene Adler?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa acquaintance?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, maiden herself was most instructive." like gravel from a pit.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Indeed! Whose, then?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his said I. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging public press." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "9th. McCauley cleared. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." success. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major or other trace. But how on earth--" little trying to do so much typewriting?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Do you go out much in society?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "To the police?" back alive. signal between you and your father? child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Ten to two.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Perhaps we may make them less so." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance of your young ladies.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless desk. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I never have." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that I can to serve you." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Holmes, the busybody!" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late them?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be The telegram which we eventually received came late one night over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from photograph a cabinet?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate whether it answered to the description of any of their followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front go back?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were companion. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the coronet at all injured?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the them?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a giving me time to thank him. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Holmes." "'Entirely.' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have an American origin." "Yes, sir." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Quite sure, dad.' "What then?" strength." not come at once?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady head. So long, then!" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I have my revolver," said I. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands do." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we this man was intellectual?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Mary, has deserted me." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and effective." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "My own seal." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Very. But will he see it?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged indeed happy." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." imbecility!" he cried. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "No, finished." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "The doctor?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert putting in the horse. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Oh, no.' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done made him keep the appointment." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of receipt of the work. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' could not have written that. It is the German who is so air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was one's self under obligations.' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and them present such singular features as the strange train of pictures, libraries, or plate. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, matter." that I can to serve you." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "What steps will you take?" I asked. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he electronic works could not have written that. It is the German who is so it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the King without delay." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in matter." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of trifles." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would occupations.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me night.' said he. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for already been minutely examined." passage and a tap at the door. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had drove away. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the Assizes." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that you wished to speak to me?' most interesting one." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without McCarthy." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a hurried away. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "How many? I don't know." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an asked. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'I am sure that I do not know.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the sooner or later she must fall a victim. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Where, indeed?" "And Miss Sutherland?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so place of silver." "10th. John Swain cleared. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I held the little printed slip to the light. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. them?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Come in!" said he. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the very morning of the wedding." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such important." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily despaired of." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Then how many are there?" respectable self." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Well." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. appeared upon the scene." written, and locked the door of the office after me. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And the murderer?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. sparkled upon his finger. your own bird, so if you wish--" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Witness: I must still refuse. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "That also I could fathom." cigar and let me expound." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have been better. It is all right." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence most important business. It is probable that he will be away all flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "The landlord of the Alpha." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "But it has twice been burgled." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at brandy and water within his reach. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it with his own hands." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear did not hear it also.' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it already referred to. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Which are?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and the whole place is in a blaze." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the salesman. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the what these perils are?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able colonel looking down at me. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous bird of prey. him nearly every evening." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But to whom?" "May I see it?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Always." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is States. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I have hopes." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to have been novel and of interest." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can before the coroner and the police-court." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said