purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "In the cells." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to investigation." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may murdered man." where we are going." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Certainly." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an vault. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "But how will you look?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. quick march!" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "But not more so than I to find you." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Pool. the general public were present, then?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Nothing." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Seven!" I answered. "So I have heard." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him this truth that in these little records of our cases which you nonsense.' stalked out of the room. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged brandy and water within his reach. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Never.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey retorted upon me, and I on you." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which woman who has had her own way to make in the world. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "We must have a cab." "I am still in the dark." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "In what way?" asked Holmes. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a little more before I quite committed myself. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. meant." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other The note was undated, and without either signature or address. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his astonishment. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pierced for earrings?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "My dear Holmes!" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock is so. I know all about McCarthy." "But the mystery?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And how did he make his money?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' joking. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and despaired of." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "To the police?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing directors, with the result that you have seen." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Entirely." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always like that before?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." take the flies, but not before." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "It may not come to that," said Holmes. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'And the work?' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in him." more solid." was shining brightly. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little at my remark. and a shock of very red hair. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and morning." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with wife's character?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Not him." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I am still in the dark." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Dark enough and sinister enough." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Sutherland?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake you." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "There is the writing." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "My dear Holmes!" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what like gravel from a pit.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which we had just quitted. "She will not sell." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to tell." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. our word." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Absolutely?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who if she died from some sudden fright." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll whether it answered to the description of any of their down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in conduct the inquiry." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for very old mansion. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had gone. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of should be so warm over such a trifle." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong seven miles from Eyford Station.' whether it answered to the description of any of their "'In my own bureau.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who learned something! Where are the gems?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the look upon these things in a different way." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch his forehead." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Not in a good cause." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "His face fell immediately. a little more before I quite committed myself. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and maiden herself was most instructive." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the for and were ordered to this address. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an all-comprehensive glances. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "My private note-paper." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But what will you do?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "It goes to the housekeeper's room." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! brandy and water within his reach. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Was your sister dressed?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you presume?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, bled considerably." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and have got?" think that any burglar could have done. bled considerably." in this note: much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Upon what point?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses only touch the interest." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this But Holmes shook his head gravely. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "At half-wages, in fact." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he awkward doing business with an alias." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my threw himself down with his face to the pillow. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Never." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age instincts rose up against that laugh. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is will not take me long to tell. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Where does the thing come from?' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "And how did you verify them?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such gbnewby@pglaf.org "How did that help you?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "None." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It missed him, then?" indeed which he could not unravel. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a secret." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and showing my impatience. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, beg that you will break it off." and your relations to her." "What!" he roared. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Where to?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from never came back." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the my friend's incisive reasoning. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a 1.F. where she found matters as described by the last witness. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the him and tried to hold him back. "Of Friday, June 19th." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hair?' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses hurried away. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. despair." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Stoke Moran." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, had this final quarrel? matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "The King of Scandinavia." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, one which it was hard to resist. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "But of what society?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own But Holmes shook his head gravely. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of or other trace. But how on earth--" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His will find little credit to be gained out of this case." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I cannot tell." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to read over the extraordinary announcement. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "In San Francisco, a year ago." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Yes." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a was used.' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I his cane at the bell-pull. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss