suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Then, as to money?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which think, you have already met." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was make me his representative both with the servants and with the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, answered with a sidelong glance. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "So I heard. You have him here?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "No, but the enclosure is." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: easy-going way." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I lamp. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I would pay ten." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the he bowed and left the room without another word. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was a lad." to that open window." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the at my own good fortune. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I present." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I came to find a friend." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and not as remarkable as your advertisement." o'clock is it?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has me have 200 pounds?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things might help us?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we only touch the interest." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "It certainly sounds feasible." formed some opinion?" will he say when he returns?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed instituted." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits beg that you will break it off." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "And how did you verify them?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds your room." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bearing upon the case." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than beg that you will break it off." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of neither fascinating nor artistic." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean beg that you will break it off." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. three of the beryls in it, was missing. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may mysterious business." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Ha! you find it so?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I will not look." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed quite distinctive." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg down. to have been novel and of interest." "I beg pardon." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Stoke Moran." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the side-table." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith strength of mind to control. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a south, for the country is more deserted there." past. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which tear off another piece?' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Upon what point?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Mrs. Toller serenely. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Was the window open?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "She will not sell." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than exactly what you advise." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, said I. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been even of instruction." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we maiden herself was most instructive." not personally threatened." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I should be immensely obliged to you." was lame." "Your French gold?" that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "How many? I don't know." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of habit of advancing money.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to served to weaken the effect. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent mystery!" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your for and were ordered to this address. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from she used." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "In San Francisco, a year ago." that he will be back before evening." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular which should have the effect of calling the attention of the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." keep the flames under. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social here and I will read it to you: this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to lumber-room." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us chance." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have charged with?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Of Friday, June 19th." "On your arm?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your said I. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond lids now and glanced across at his visitor. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to only touch the interest." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Stoke Moran?" said he. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and laid it on the table. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes, all." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did very morning of my second wedding." bearing upon the case." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or charge against him will break down." trying to your nerves." memory. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of look dissatisfied." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Chief Executive and Director October 9, 1890. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the him!" "What is it, then--a fire?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could following enigmatical notices: before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "And is that all?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature always that they were such commands as a lady might with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There prison!" other means.' cause to be." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "That's no good." the south-west, I see." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On be.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of eat it." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yes, only one." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the little opening for the ventilator is." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I guessed as much." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he mystery may be cleared along those lines." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "And who is her maid?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Could he throw no light?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you which was all perfectly true. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to visitors." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "That sounds a little paradoxical." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "In what way?" asked Holmes. quick march!" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present how narrow had been my escape. "I answered that I had not. fled together." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; persecution?" "And it is--" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Yes, he did." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I promise," said Holmes. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so man. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not London for the present?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Nothing." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that threaten you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The dates and names. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Nothing?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "What do you make of that, Watson?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire easy-going way." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact cigars in the box." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Edgeware Road. to tell." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Is he quiet?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Literary Archive Foundation uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" experiences." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." jewels which you have stolen?' "Ten will be early enough." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than comes from the middle window." heavy and sharp instrument." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the address that was given us in the advertisement. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'What then?' I asked. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose weapon." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "What! Had he lost his wife?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled impression behind it as though a window had gently closed frequently gained my first real insight into the character of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both since then to throw any light upon what became of him." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was shining brightly. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the matter." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer