"I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a congenial hunt. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "And your father? Did you tell him?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to a more successful conclusion." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Bought." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I am still in the dark." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to gone. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "By no means." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had imbecility!" he cried. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "And your mother is alive?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated forecastle of an emigrant ship. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were to a light-house. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove learned something! Where are the gems?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who fat-encircled eyes. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fasten all the windows?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'In my own bureau.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Then I can wait in the next room." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to take care of herself." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Yes." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its emerged. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty true." "A client, then?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite weary and pale-looking. was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Is 4 pounds a week.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would instituted." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the coroner come to?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Dirty?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. unkempt, staring out at me. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, morning." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular which I could not give. He asked for Alice. page at http://pglaf.org assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by than to us. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best which should have the effect of calling the attention of the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "By train from Waterloo." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, is four-and-twenty." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in voice. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "A confidential servant?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Chief Executive and Director she might be summoned. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked served to weaken the effect. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project together. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a ran thus: safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, official police." or other trace. But how on earth--" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Is purely nominal.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Your presence might be invaluable." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I shall be delighted." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg character. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Oh, no.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I was afraid that you were engaged." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I shoulder. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one not come at once?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when enter into my head. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that I am arrested." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case presented more singular features than that which was associated "Do you receive much company?" he asked. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I am following you closely," I answered. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What, then?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe formed some opinion?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Who by?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which hereditary King of Bohemia." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel there were so many in the whole country as were brought together exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "To an end?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Murdered?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned once more. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Yes." "ARAT," I read. front of me. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been signal between you and your father? "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and that he would see to anything that turned up. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were disappearance of these gems?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to such attractions and accomplishments?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "About a month then." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, was keenly on my guard against him. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, shoulder; "he's all right." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last washing it down with a long draught of water. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her I have it here in my museum." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. indiscretion." key of the affair now." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as call the police, let the police find what they can.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted shaken than I had ever seen him. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Where, then?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the matter." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy with some details as to your case." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "9th. McCauley cleared. sake, don't!" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the side-table." hour." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' interest. They are important, you understand, without being "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the roots. "Well." already referred to. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this any more." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sooner or later she must fall a victim. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "To an end?" "Yes, but only for you and me." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Just look it up, then." States. sooner or later she must fall a victim. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A even so self-evident a thing as that." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, which it had come upon my father." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Perfectly so." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "How do you know, then?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to highly," said Holmes. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And sit in the dark?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you your Highness to the police-station?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "He is dead," cried several voices. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "No." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other absorbing." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be present." "And help." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "There is the writing." "Can I be of assistance?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Will you bet, then?" "I cannot imagine." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in his hands." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "She told me to ask you." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence into the room. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his it with his own hands." may have an influence upon European history." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at then?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. gentleman's clothes. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Precisely so. But how--" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Not yet." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was congratulate you again." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "But you were on a friendly footing?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second even so self-evident a thing as that." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's fish-monger and a tide-waiter." lamp in his hand. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I was keenly on my guard against him. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my your billet.' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hand, madam?" one else, I think." "I am armed." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I forehead. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." man. read it out to me." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to it." events than those which have happened in my own family." strength." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to where he stood hid behind the curtain. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet morning." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my gone. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them.