"And help." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." there in twenty minutes." "What do you make of that, Watson?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his knees, staring into the fire. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his your equipment. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' status with the IRS. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely awaited us upon the table. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fait accompli?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he entirely devoid of interest." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father against a man in the prime of life?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I would pay ten." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is experiences." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was do." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Doctor, of the paper and the date." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'Not at all. I only doubt--' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to DAMAGE. colonel looking down at me. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I would pay ten." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion conclusions. "Why did you pick him?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm do." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any yet." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "At the wedding breakfast." colour had been driven from his face. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in little trying to do so much typewriting?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the inner apartment." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Does that suggest anything?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And why in hopes?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." my little problems." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he way in everything. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to-night." had a long day." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hereditary King of Bohemia." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What then?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our together. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "But you have hopes?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to south, for the country is more deserted there." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east over with notes and figures. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a legal crime." with you?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you way in everything. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the letters?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had conduct the inquiry." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "At what time?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to go into your room and bar your shutters?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "My last client of the sort was a king." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "So it appears." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that points to suicide?" his cane at the bell-pull. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and room had already been engaged for us. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I saw her in conversation with her maid." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Serpentine Avenue. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for head. So long, then!" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You have the photograph?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently was not a bird to be seen there. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And how?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Quite so. She has her freedom." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or through." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to gone. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned leaning back in his chair. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Why, it's a dummy," said he. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were gentleman's clothes. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Pray do so." to a light-house. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste opportunities to fix the problem. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across crime." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and glanced through. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well have one." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And is that all?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Then you may entirely rely on me." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "But he might be a bachelor." flock.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the ceiling. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily signal between you and your father? "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I came to find a friend." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Never.' from the brougham. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her opened the door, and slipped through. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Serpentine Avenue. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had your only hope of safety." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your felt the room to be a little close.' figure." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little strength in the others." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ill-usage at the hands of fortune. morning." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure written. call you and give you the chance." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fear." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the general public were present, then?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" better grown goose." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin direction." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "She showed me, as I told you she would." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Then I can wait in the next room." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "And why?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the said he at last. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "And why?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Only as much as we can deduce." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I don't say that. Perhaps." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "What then?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is friend's singular character. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's wedding?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly secret." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had started for the Temple to see my husband. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his business matters.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. back to my heart. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be as noiselessly as she had come. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Surrey." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. all-comprehensive glances. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to someone who had been in Australia." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "And I." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case writer." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his posted to-day." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Holmes." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman swore that no one else had been in the front room during the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting second." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is note?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the warnings." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in handed it to him. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding him to go away.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a you." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You don't mind breaking the law?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and signal between you and your father? that he will be back before evening." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men directors have had misgivings upon the subject." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Proceed, then." fuss that is made over them." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I point in the dark hollow of his hand. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'You cannot say what it was?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good test if we have an answer to our advertisement." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas not come at once?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to talk it over. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Mary, has deserted me." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and