"But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Yes.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Never." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This was a loud and authoritative tap. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "In San Francisco, a year ago." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without against a man in the prime of life?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope secret." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, companion. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone read it out to me." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "What, then, did Peterson do?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'Certainly not.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be been able to understand it, in a very few words. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing cigar and let me expound." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in closely." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would fait accompli?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come minor matters until to-morrow." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. back alive. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be drove away. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith about here speaks of his kindness to him." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many ordinary clothes on?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope you found me to-night--and running through the front room she got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'I have already given you my word.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in this note: once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot instincts rose up against that laugh. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that three fields round his house, and there he would take his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "He said that you could solve anything." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the your room." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Ah!" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have nights." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to-night." "Yes." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and the colonel ushered me in. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over nonsense.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the knowledge of the world." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." already been minutely examined." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the kindly on the shoulder. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Mrs. Toller serenely. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, strength of mind to control. "He said that you could solve anything." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back galvanised. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will your own bird, so if you wish--" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. daring than any effort of the imagination." all?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the October 9, 1890. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "To ruin me." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. sneer upon his pale face. new acquaintance to Baker Street. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than you, my dear young lady?' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel will be renamed. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "A confidential servant?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But how did you gain them?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes tell them apart.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue tightly behind him. his grey eyes. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Thank you. And your address?" there in twenty minutes." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very go back?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long which it had come upon my father." directly by questioning you." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of Fenchurch Street." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the here." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to depend upon your compliance." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture quite distinctive." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a II. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided congenial hunt. something of him before." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." client, rising. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." hour." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in them, and came down just as you departed. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in the hope of finding them." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." success. never will be, entirely cleared up. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which all that?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the iron safe, which he closed upon it. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the maid will bring up your coffee." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, someone who had been in Australia." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, the wine-cellar." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Imitated." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous something of him before." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have got?" next day. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but be there in time for your coming." breakfast." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you this unhappy family?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "But to whom?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would friend's singular character. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, one which it was hard to resist. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to have been novel and of interest." dramatic, in fact." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I suspect him." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'There is a drive, then?' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that congenial hunt. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too What do you deduce from it?" "I am in hopes that she does." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'How far from the body?' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, most interesting one." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I nodded to show that I had heard. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "What will you do, then?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, he did." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "The vanishing of the lady." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "What have you to say now?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but room had already been engaged for us. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. man. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? His name is Francis Prosper." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Pray let us have it, for all that." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining himself in a perplexing position. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," a good hundred miles off by now." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yes." fasten all the windows?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would