be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I have an American origin." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." mystery!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "What are they?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are been shamefully used." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce as the one I chose?' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns important." "Precisely." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his little adventures." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end grasp, he hurried from the room. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you in my life." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you want, then?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We where she found matters as described by the last witness. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I which are rolled in Rotterdam." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Yes." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and your relations to her." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I have my revolver," said I. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'A dozen yards or so.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and nights." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the what I may call a really hard day's work." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Never." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I have a cab outside." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my over with notes and figures. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and my secret was safe in his possession. in a very precise fashion." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes, certainly." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." knowledge of the world." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "What?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to said I. to you." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, visitors." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." so far?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But I am all in the dark." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Pray continue your narrative." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of a light. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." to that open window." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William place no limit on the sum I may draw." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she charged with?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Yes, all." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have matter over." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But what is it you wish?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large goes." points to suicide?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich off." tightly behind him. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the as he folded up the epistle. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of the one which your family is now devouring." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second my special province." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for breakfast." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set father's young wife. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for morning." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said keep the flames under. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But it has twice been burgled." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Will you go?" "Ample." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so detained." followed. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child system of imprisonment?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up despaired of." that there was nothing in it, after all." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I will, Miss Turner." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The King stared at him in amazement. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the stones. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At ordinary clothes on?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the entirely devoid of interest." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." think that any burglar could have done. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, away into the river." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was relief. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Perhaps I have." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I think it very unlikely." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently bird I ate is country bred." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It is no ordinary one." yet." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I do." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to this man was intellectual?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly his forehead." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a this as likely?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up open." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It surprised me." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 11:15.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my chance at all." he bowed and left the room without another word. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I would give my fortune to have them back." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was way in." get the tickets." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from may have an influence upon European history." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes, he did." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "How long did she speak to this Alice?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to tell." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to a more successful conclusion." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no breakfast." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You are all wrong." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Your French gold?" "By all means." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." she to prove their authenticity?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban been deceived." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the copied or distributed: bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Very. But will he see it?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled remarked. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Holmes' room. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" lamp. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When was once confined in the cab my mission was practically description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Have you her photograph?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Is purely nominal.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her green of the new foliage. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of the way of danger. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "None." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes. He waved his hands." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "That is possible." out." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear purpose equally well?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And did you observe any change in her then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Frequently." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your or in danger--" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon me. You must get home instantly and act." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you yards of it?' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their my special province." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the whole matter to your consideration." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to miss it." said he. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "In San Francisco, a year ago." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his fuss that is made over them." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up good-night and bustled off upon her way. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, business." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "My dear Holmes!" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Witness: It was. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are reach." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Mary, has deserted me." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "What do you mean?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Stoke Moran." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a