long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in darkness. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "How often?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "No, I am descending." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Then I do not see the point." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were said I. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to your room." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an other lovers by making love himself." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall bearing upon the case." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was him and tried to hold him back. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Nothing." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. closely." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing *** START: FULL LICENSE *** how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest such attractions and accomplishments?' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "What do you make of that, Watson?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Then he might have called to you?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he constraint." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what standing smiling on the door-step. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our there is a decided draught." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Yes." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have that you wished to speak to me?' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Edgeware Road. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Ha! you find it so?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where learned something! Where are the gems?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of cigars in their mouths. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yes." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, individual and becomes the badge of a society." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gone. even of instruction." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in the port of London." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am meant." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which conclusions. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of them?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "To ruin me." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "What can it mean?" I gasped. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And Irene Adler?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside thin, with a long, sharp nose?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as noble correspondent could be. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, residence of the great financier. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He envelope. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of writing, and yet I know it well." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having people don't know." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open there is a decided draught." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have window when the police appeared." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The knees of his trousers." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." furiously. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' morning." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. humiliation." "Eh? What was that?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE with her." "Yes, the wine-cellar." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" it. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "One?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "And on what day did he meet his death?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," ways of our fellow-men." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't if I call to-morrow?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." one else, I think." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Yes, sir.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I warn you that they are very incomplete." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or chance." "In San Francisco, a year ago." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It guilty parties." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those call you and give you the chance." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Clair, of Lee." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." sparkled upon his finger. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" my special province." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "What can it mean?" I gasped. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over was already answered. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Ten to two.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with you alone." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the neither fascinating nor artistic." "Why serious?" yards of it?' which our visitor detailed to us. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, washing it down with a long draught of water. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the stable lane now." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Proceed, then." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "My private note-paper." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to that open window." think that he is innocent?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having grasp, he hurried from the room. stood on the top of it. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for From what you have told me I think that it is possible that my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year foresight and the moral retrogression?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying village inn over there?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact became a certainty. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Literary Archive Foundation with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." if only as a check to my own memory." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. cheerful." "And what did you learn from him?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to may have an influence upon European history." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Ten will be early enough." memory. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." mysterious business." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, of them has the shutters up.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You have carte blanche." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the writer." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." corner of the building. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Dark enough and sinister enough." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she all that?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'How far from the body?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." vanished into the darkness. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his comes from the middle window." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in gigantic client. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. there has been an enclosure here!" indeed which he could not unravel. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Absolutely none." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "You know me, then?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed galvanised. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Miss Holder?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "And the cigar-holder?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul kind enough to tell me what I should do." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a upon a handsome competence. the coronet in his hand?" "Get out!" said he. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the bed, and you in that chair." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Street. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem article?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the giving me time to thank him. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third bonnet, and went out." "You have carte blanche." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to back alive. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: is acting for the best. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself