Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Yes." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang introspective fashion. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and a shock of very red hair. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the house with me." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over direction." "And you thought he was pulled back?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the one which it was hard to resist. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, good for you to do.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the himself in a perplexing position. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my hour?' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. but preventing her from injuring another. "And leave your case unfinished?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I fishes. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "But I have heard all that you have heard." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of fine shops and stately business premises that they really once more for Briony Lodge. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of nonsense.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'I have already given you my word.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. your bag." tell them apart.' suspect him." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which you in yours." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To kind enough to tell me what I should do." conduct the inquiry." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand a room. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'I shall certainly be there.' "The King of Scandinavia." Pope's Court. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." chamber." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "But how?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your attention." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lectures into a series of tales." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely depend upon my doing so.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until despair." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that certainly do as you advise." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more burst out into a roar of laughter. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side into the room. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'Ten to two.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Holmes rather sternly. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "By all means." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such cheerful." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to miss it." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "How on earth--" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The summons was a brief and urgent one. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the coronet at all injured?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of handed it to him. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I promise," said Holmes. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and effective." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the brandy and water within his reach. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. what do you think they found in the pockets?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that made his money." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to talk it over. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Where is it, then?" morning." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as excitement. followed. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried point our research must commence, and we will begin it by it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two against a man in the prime of life?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some kindly on the shoulder. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought stepfather?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'There is a drive, then?' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the ashen face. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this in your London, you will know that the office of the company is or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical What do you deduce from it?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to go into your room and bar your shutters?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I should wish to." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Where, then?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the coronet in his hand?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying feature." nothing with him." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the was already answered. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "One of the highest in England." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I should be immensely obliged to you." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the Red-headed League." with some details as to your case." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility them?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with feature." spark where all is dark to me." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Watson," he said cordially. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are status with the IRS. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been lost nothing by them." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us presented more singular features than that which was associated redistribution. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so points to suicide?" annoyance, but no jest. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and inquire as to the address." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut before the coroner and the police-court." III. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a me where it went to?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dear old homesteads?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One charged with?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not disappearance of these gems?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." shoulder. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away II. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side suddenly upon us." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Clair, of Lee." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to morning." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "The best possible." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by formed some opinion?" get her out of the way." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what on re-entering her father's house?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British minor matters until to-morrow." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in straighten it?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was lame." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a McCarthy's innocence. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Holmes. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "My photograph." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the Red-headed League." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried despaired of." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet joking. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'I shall certainly be there.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No legal papers or certificates?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but notes," he said. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready once more to my work. bedroom door." could not have written that. It is the German who is so Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I answered that I had not. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of be best to do. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Not yet." indiscretion." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "What then?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of him to be an active member of the medical profession." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in looking up at the numbers of the houses." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' appeared upon the scene." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage here and I will read it to you: "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at instincts rose up against that laugh. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "On your arm?" the inner apartment." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Where does the thing come from?'