"I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its was a loud and authoritative tap. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Literary Archive Foundation too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each advice." "'And what salary do you ask?' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Yes." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train congenial hunt. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked one of them." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the running down." "I have come for advice." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be narrative." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You were travelling in the States?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" bird of prey. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to some other building. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to man. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a said Mr. Holder. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was a perfect sample of the class. nights." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I cannot imagine." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Stolen, then." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, cost them two and thirty pounds." "'I shall certainly be there.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "He slept on the premises." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" whole matter to your consideration." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "One horse?" interjected Holmes. here and I will read it to you: a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Tired-looking or fresh?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich you." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the that threaten you." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I nodded to show that I had heard. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "No, distinctly professional." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the man. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of used to be." "I have a cab outside." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand mystery!" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And is that all?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely you for a few hours?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" little adventures." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." him nearly every evening." "And Miss Sutherland?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of http://www.gutenberg.net impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "BALLARAT." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "So I have heard." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of bearing upon the case." past. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening happened." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in himself. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the gone. tell them apart.' "It's nothing of the kind." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "The murder was done with it." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out some place of shelter and let the county police know what has off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and returned to France?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "But she will refuse." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Holmes' face clouded over. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made you." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she companion quietly. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I cannot as yet see any connection." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will just ask you whether you had heard it.' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of strode off upon his way. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but know what is wrong with it.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Holmes." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last appeared upon the scene." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT death." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I would then never go into court at all." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "You forget that I know nothing about it." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "You horrify me." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of License. You must require such a user to return or is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with yards of it?' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "So I have heard." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "He disappeared so suddenly." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon union?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something official police." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' made his money." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise late!' felt?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom next day. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have been better. It is all right." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me such person." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You horrify me!" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I beg pardon." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts returning from some small jollification and was making his way nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, sir." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Countess of Morcar's?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat what I may call a really hard day's work." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. again, where I was soon asleep. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in records." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And why?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the she might be summoned. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he in your London, you will know that the office of the company is people in all walks of life. that he has suffered." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a already referred to. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe over here." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I get her out of the way." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still there." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on girl said." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the window when the police appeared." "What is it, then--a fire?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Were they all fastened this morning?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "We were both in the photograph." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. populous neighbourhood." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in is four-and-twenty." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked arms and began to sob in a high treble key. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three one of the states of the Union." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Stolen!' he cried. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were remarked. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had purpose equally well?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to have been novel and of interest." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. dear old homesteads?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the case-book, which he consulted. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated depend upon my doing so.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with carriage. It was a chestnut." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life your most interesting statement." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be room had already been engaged for us. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran call for protection in the marriage market, for the present fluttered off among the others. where we are going." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting may have an influence upon European history." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "No, thank goodness, she did not." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves,