repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to key of the affair now." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to me. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "In the cells." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. you?' confronted him. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the more solid." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the inquest, and which are worth considering." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the on in his house." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "My own seal." John Swain, of St. Augustine. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in in the hope of finding them." directors, with the result that you have seen." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the arrested. You then--" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And help." to-night?" I asked. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the had a long day." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself opened the door, and slipped through. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "That is possible." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the License. You must require such a user to return or which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Ten will be early enough." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the opportunities to fix the problem. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "A call for help, you thought?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my was used.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." bled considerably." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced even of instruction." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with without success. At last the little money which I had saved began swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the populous neighbourhood." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the closely." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "How on earth--" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. reach." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, stepfather?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be of the vacancies.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. redistribution. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Precisely." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the devil!" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless question. are, I think, all that we need." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they people in all walks of life. allusion to a rat. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of derbies." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "But she will refuse." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and a shock of very red hair. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." be sorry for having acted so harshly." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the best of training." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in that?' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand married her." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father name is different." "You are hungry," I remarked. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sooner or later she must fall a victim. even so self-evident a thing as that." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole so far?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want place of silver." was a perfect sample of the class. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in with you?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two simple cases which are so extremely difficult." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Leadenhall Street--and--" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But who is he?" forehead. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel village inn over there?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him evidence," I remarked. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the correct than the official force." hopeless attempt at recovering them." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "And why in hopes?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "But you would not advise me to refuse?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "By train from Waterloo." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and done what I asked you, Jones?" I shall communicate with you." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It was." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, you." him." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I cannot as yet see any connection." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the loss of it. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cigars in the box." "Nothing." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And your father? Did you tell him?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his directly by questioning you." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." public press." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. nonsense.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Yes." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my what these perils are?" I nodded again. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside derbies." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "No?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the when your master had gone out." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." who was a member of your goose club." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'You cannot say what it was?' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "None." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with giving me time to thank him. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "The landlord of the Alpha." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Certainly, madam." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "What is it?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found means taking possession of that which another person has a prior means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of Mr. Rucastle's." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "What will you say?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of of receipt of the work. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or there is a decided draught." kind enough to tell me what I should do." over here." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Pray continue your narrative." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On are, I think, all that we need." ventilator." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of face and glided from the room. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute stepfather?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in know that the truth is known." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. business?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed open." security.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Who by?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Well, some hundreds of times." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "How did that help you?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Where to?' husband's writing, madam." "'Stolen!' he cried. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a compunction about shooting them down." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her thirty. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Not particularly." "Did he not advertise?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about both be extremely obliged.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, his grey eyes. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. stalked out of the room. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the such attractions and accomplishments?' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "What! a murderous attack?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Street. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some but preventing her from injuring another. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, rose-bushes. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down strong and stiff." them?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small kindly on the shoulder. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'In my own bureau.' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And how have you succeeded?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott off." appointment with me for six o'clock?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where floor. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Imitated." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to where he stood hid behind the curtain. of Mr. Rucastle's." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his photograph?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you chambers. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Thank you. And your address?" know all about it," he snarled. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Stolen, then." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "You have the photograph?" hurried away. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few ready to-morrow?' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has strode off upon his way. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. retorted upon me, and I on you." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, he. kind enough to tell me what I should do." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the