even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Really! You surprise me." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of again before evening." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of there when the Rucastles went away." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon breakfast?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Here?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, make me his representative both with the servants and with the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall ordinary clothes on?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to me. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Street. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the warnings." observed. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Doctor, of the paper and the date." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' should be taken.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It is very clear." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "No good news?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could come either from the window or the door. My attention was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "That you are never beaten." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is photograph?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Come in!" said Holmes. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Dr. Becher's." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Never,' said I. ceremony." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had who was a member of your goose club." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that I can to serve you." I shall continue with my miserable story. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the Red-headed League." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to we went to search for him, face downward in a little pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King tightly behind him. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Tired-looking or fresh?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You have compromised yourself seriously." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast During two years I have had three consultations and one small you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Pray do so." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert galvanised. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the child." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "But what is it you wish?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "But not more so than I to find you." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of in his hands." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found 1.F. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the window, rose as we entered. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was guilty one." occupations.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "The vanishing of the lady." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "So I heard. You have him here?" to tackle the facts." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'I am sure that I do not know.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "And how did you verify them?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What! You do not mean bodies?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; than to us. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Then I can wait in the next room." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I cannot as yet see any connection." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which our visitor detailed to us. "May I see it?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eat it." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are directly by questioning you." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than him, that man would not have given me such complete information broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Was she in good spirits?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "But not more so than I to find you." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the Friday. Was it to be in church?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his happened." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the at a side door. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it companion. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from place, I think that there is good ground to think that the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public amused." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" second window is the one that I jumped from." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very works. See paragraph 1.E below. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and the colonel ushered me in. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'Oh, no.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw could not account in any way for the presence of the missing making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he come either from the window or the door. My attention was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy side. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their cigars in their mouths. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his again, where I was soon asleep. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "My photograph." opportunities to fix the problem. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to south, for the country is more deserted there." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until you for a few hours?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the one as in the other." purpose equally well?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It was." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "On the contrary, this is the right side." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. may have an influence upon European history." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the night.' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, public press." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Certainly not. But why?' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever seen the man in the road." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" brandy and water within his reach. status with the IRS. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "What shall I do?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Where to?' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I am still in the dark." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." there." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's went to the Alpha were town bred." too. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened father's place of business?" you?' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Then I can wait in the next room." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." during which he might have communicated with his friend the paper in the air. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Henry Baker is a member." to surprise her." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. stalked out of the room. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'There is a drive, then?' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind ran thus: heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Surrey." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very their singular warning or token before them when starting upon asked with his eyes open. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. before, for it was considerably after midnight. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes, but only for you and me." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle bachelor.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of constraint." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "That is easily got." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. it. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I figure." "No legal papers or certificates?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet himself to hunt down. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Why that?' I asks. that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to-night's adventure." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found