delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I had a long day." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a husband's writing, madam." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have had none more fantastic than this." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was remarked. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But you can know nothing of this?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "When did it break out?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and the whole place is in a blaze." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "It may not come to that," said Holmes. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Holmes." some water from a caraffe. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall clanging. fear." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime conclusions. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he or in danger--" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began nice household for a young lady." there in twenty minutes." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have not had my rubber." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It is very clear." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the nursery. lost his Christmas dinner." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the disappearance of these gems?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Can I be of assistance?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am http://gutenberg.net/license). the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in For additional contact information: "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "But his left-handedness." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I see many objections to any such theory." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "What office?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I of the vacancies.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to fact, we may call it conclusive." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that have I gained?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that DISSOLVED. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and glanced through. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I cannot imagine." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of maiden herself was most instructive." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, flock.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Holmes' thin, eager face. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have one." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is during which he might have communicated with his friend the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Have you good authority for what you say?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It is solved." States. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Texas, I think." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. views." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the became a certainty. "Where, indeed?" nothing with him." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "At half-wages, in fact." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It missed him, then?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Quite so." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. empty. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and our word." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You know me, then?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to deduce something from that?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' discontent upon his features. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve brandy and water within his reach. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Just look it up, then." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Could he throw no light?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "To the police?" pictures, libraries, or plate. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his quite distinctive." "That you are never beaten." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. such attractions and accomplishments?' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was presented more singular features than that which was associated recover the gem." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is very clear." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the salesman. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of desk. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "No, my brougham is waiting." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go your troubles." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "In the cells." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Here?" to-morrow." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'And the work?' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid in a friendly supper." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our burst out into a roar of laughter. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Your sister is dead, then?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able chambers. "What!" he roared. cost them two and thirty pounds." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Was she in good spirits?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Then let me do so?' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous how narrow had been my escape. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you behind me. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and I shall be with you presently." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So not personally threatened." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "How do you know, then?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I promise," said Holmes. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come remarked. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be fire. You quite follow me?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I nodded to show that I had heard. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, States. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just bears upon the case?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and questioning and rather startled gaze. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I have a cab outside." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in the port of London." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees ourselves in the office." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was he bowed and left the room without another word. never will be, entirely cleared up. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "He said that you could solve anything." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Because he was handy and would come cheap." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was lame." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day throat." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the matter over." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner been." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Nothing?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And I." "He slept on the premises." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a might help us?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "So I heard. You have him here?" "Of what?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the promised to bring home. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "No?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I am armed." Stoke Moran." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the drawing your inferences." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my wife's character?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and not personally threatened." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his chance at all." may never be exposed to such a temptation." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have quickly through a disagreeable task. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new during which he might have communicated with his friend the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. only touch the interest." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came But Holmes shook his head gravely. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'And what salary do you ask?' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'I am sure if I had known--' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. three of the beryls in it, was missing. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and glanced through. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest jewels which you have stolen?' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my one else, I think." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever later, upon the night of May 2nd." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Nothing." "Thank you. And your address?" "Seven!" I answered. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?"