a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on chair. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me could go. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. quick march!" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You don't mind breaking the law?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And how did he make his money?" a monotonous occupation." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "That also I could fathom." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had which we had just quitted. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. through." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'Yes, sir.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the him. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before must compliment you." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you skylight. "'Certainly not.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which meant it for the best. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called stalked out of the room. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered their singular warning or token before them when starting upon left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. him!" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so carpenter." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Yesterday." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "And what did you learn from him?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then up this clue while it is still hot." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Well?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And when will you call?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to easy-going way." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little dear old homesteads?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the that?' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "What!" he roared. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to did not hear it also.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old evidence," I remarked. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." asked. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Count Von Kramm." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "None." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "And why in hopes?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would attention." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, father's young wife. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I come either from the window or the door. My attention was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The murder was done with it." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "But he might be a bachelor." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to examine." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you papers on the sundial.'" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon fear." that you can jump it.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Pray tell us what has happened to you." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes." gone. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my you." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, not fit the lock." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three would then never go into court at all." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the general public were present, then?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy newspaper selections." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to seem to you to be relevant or not." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I promise," said Holmes. figure." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Yes." might help us?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I promise," said Holmes. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Game for a morning drive?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I intrusion of other matters." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done will take you up to see the machine.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon opened a pocket-book and took out a note. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a tell me that you intended to go into harness." fuss that is made over them." everything which you would wish to know." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, at my own good fortune. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the unkempt, staring out at me. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "What then?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I was used.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a developed." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Certainly not.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And is that all?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "It is a murder, then?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about at my remark. bearing upon the case." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence is so. I know all about McCarthy." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "From his hat?" Munro.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who taking in every detail of the apartment. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the coronet in his hand?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Munro.' that you can jump it.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Where could I find him?' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was bell. Holmes whistled. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last matter over." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely suddenly upon us." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Very murderous indeed." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had returning from some small jollification and was making his way at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary before, for it was considerably after midnight. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I should like to see him very much." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to-morrow." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes, sir." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And Irene Adler?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I was sure that I might rely on you." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Oh, yes, easily." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I guessed as much." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly possible that we could bring him back to her? many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Clair, of Lee." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "About a month then." is now desirous of getting those letters back." during that time.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Entirely.' is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "He might." clang of the bell. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if begin with, and I had not got mine yet." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. charge against him will break down." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the child." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten matter." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I whole matter to your consideration." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "What can it mean?" I gasped. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the best of training." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a get her out of the way." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of all?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." are, I think, all that we need." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and wall." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you it." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first signal between you and your father? cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and key of the affair now." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the chemical work which was so dear to him. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of the efforts of the United States government and of the better McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "You horrify me!" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and night.' said he. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It is possible." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. have had none more fantastic than this." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to intrusion of other matters." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I nodded to show that I had heard. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may mystery!" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and have this put in the evening papers." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings my former friend and companion. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't