hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "May I see it?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my was not a bird to be seen there. long narrative. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Very murderous indeed." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm breakfast?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by should be so warm over such a trifle." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove prisoner's face. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Precisely." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I danger is over." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish purpose of examination. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "But who is he?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the bottom.' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them it right.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the matter." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which before the coroner and the police-court." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes all-comprehensive glances. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "When did she vanish, then?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "What will you do, then?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing chambers. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I highly," said Holmes. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me client, rising. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Not social, then?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and which we had just quitted. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains chemical work which was so dear to him. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "9th. McCauley cleared. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's them?" strong reason behind." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any late." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "VIOLET HUNTER." thirty. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another even so self-evident a thing as that." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "The doctor?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET his face. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Stoke Moran?" said he. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, your bag." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent purpose equally well?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Yes." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. nothing of it?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to surprise her." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united thin legs towards the fire. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you What do you deduce from it?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a help us in this matter." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his easy-going way." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "You think that he is dead?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as is entirely a question of barometric pressure." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into drawing your inferences." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "By no means." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had golden eyeglasses. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then envelope. newspaper selections." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried words came to my lips. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must fait accompli?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But you can know nothing of this?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a go--none." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity strength." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to me. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. I nodded again. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little once more on the important position which you have been fortunate subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked back into the street. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "How did you deduce the select?" here and I will read it to you: which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Then you may entirely rely on me." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. this remarkable episode. before, for it was considerably after midnight. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But how?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yes?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong guilty parties." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "And what did you learn from him?" Lee, in the county of Kent." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin cause to be." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Could he throw no light?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." gbnewby@pglaf.org tell them apart.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Not social, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But how?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Yes." be sorry for having acted so harshly." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face open." on in his house." "I think it very unlikely." dates and names. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "What steps will you take?" I asked. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which we had just quitted. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may photograph a cabinet?" October 9, 1890. with you?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, the wine-cellar." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him himself to hunt down. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in unkempt, staring out at me. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the coroner come to?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. said I. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Very truly yours, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "That also I could fathom." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Was she in good spirits?" Pope's Court. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a long narrative. Miss Holder?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was at home. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My dear Holmes!" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains sake, don't!" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "At the wedding breakfast." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Yesterday." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was discontent upon his features. but preventing her from injuring another. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I have seen the police." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the place of silver." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and trifles." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Why did you pick him?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the enough to aid us in our search." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' his eyes and forehead. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And what did you learn from him?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I fear not." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and I shall be with you presently." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, done what I asked you, Jones?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window I am not easy in my mind about them." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Do you go out much in society?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yes, certainly." "It is very kind of you." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her suggested at once that there must be a communication between the