"'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an swore that no one else had been in the front room during the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary corner of the building. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we words came to my lips. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I have my revolver," said I. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was your Highness to the police-station?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the like that before?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "How did you deduce the select?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "She showed me, as I told you she would." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that father's young wife. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." careless servant girl?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg trying to your nerves." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is coroner's jury." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard soul! here is her carriage at the door." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I approached. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead nice household for a young lady." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Whose house is it?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's footfalls from the street. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has deduce something from that?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." you want, then?' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I in my life." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I have hopes." residence of the great financier. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But to whom?" skylight. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; quite distinctive." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'Certainly,' I answered. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "It is possible." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Chief Executive and Director saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and dramatic, in fact." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Did your wife hear all this?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Holmes' thin, eager face. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you lamp. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and I shall be with you presently." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Who was the criminal, then?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united charged with?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "And Irene Adler?" best detective that ever lived. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and discontent upon his features. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some stood on the top of it. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself in. "None." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was upon an income of about 60 pounds." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Mary, has deserted me." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were acquaintance?" be best to do. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, only one." indiscretion." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your forehead. your most interesting statement." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I have seen the police." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Never." conclusions. "But who is he?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "But of what society?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. third from London." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was shaken than I had ever seen him. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, open." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will is acting for the best. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy shag which I had seen upon the previous night. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "And why?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and have this put in the evening papers." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in power." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall there was no need for father to know." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Where is it, then?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Here?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "When did she vanish, then?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of better grown goose." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be His name is Francis Prosper." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, union?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. acted in my house last night?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and my secret was safe in his possession. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I am in hopes that she does." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the bonnet, and went out." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set know that the truth is known." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it remarked. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the driver. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of will not take me long to tell. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a about. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Yes." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I your billet.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to surprise her." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were for securing the situation." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent all-comprehensive glances. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in your own bird, so if you wish--" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Dr. Becher's." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his straightened it out again. Have you good authority for what you say?" "I am still in the dark." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and your relations to her." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, not within a twentieth part of the market price." wedding?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'And what salary do you ask?' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is prisoner's face. "But of what society?" me where it went to?" "I do." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the arrangements." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by his cane at the bell-pull. that I may have something better before very many minutes are He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the King without delay." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' asked. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "9th. McCauley cleared. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his it means?" to tackle the facts." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew be best to do. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "What!" he roared. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the beg that you will break it off." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the himself to hunt down. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that in a friendly supper." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then legal crime." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Deserted you?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a strong reason behind." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I warn you that they are very incomplete." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together or in danger--" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little one else, I think." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Entirely.' ago." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No ago." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless seen the man in the road." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the coroner come to?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a ways of our fellow-men." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley back alive. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I 1.F. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the character. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid suddenly upon us." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and washing it down with a long draught of water. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. in a very precise fashion." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the station." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should waste of energy." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,