the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he your billet.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to money should be paid at once.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a You want to know what became of those geese?" "He said too much." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, it is a possible supposition." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "By no means." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I again, where I was soon asleep. photograph?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "What!" he roared. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "In answer to an advertisement." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "What have you to say now?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the States. "Here?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize McCarthy's innocence. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Yes, the wine-cellar." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Chief Executive and Director that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I say it is." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent go back?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And help." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat as this. Pray let me have the details." the bottom.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "None." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "It's nothing of the kind." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had conduct the inquiry." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to place of silver." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I have it here in my museum." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another way in everything. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Not in a good cause." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Why, it's a dummy," said he. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of situation." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church fire. You quite follow me?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'What do you call purely nominal?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "That is it on the dressing-table." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best will find little credit to be gained out of this case." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Game for a morning drive?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Then you may be so with me." "I see no marks." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to shoulder. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "What will you say?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and ordinary clothes on?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "How many? I don't know." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Yes." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained quickly through a disagreeable task. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to miss it." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thin legs towards the fire. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "In San Francisco, a year ago." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "What, then, did Peterson do?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a approach us with offers to donate. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Very much so." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Most admirably.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to talk it over. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the salesman. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I detained." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And why in hopes?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. least a fellow-countryman. 11:15.' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of it with the greatest attention. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me stood on the top of it. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the ceiling. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of Mr. Rucastle's." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own enter into my head. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming national property. I was determined that the law should have its completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the night.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a it means?" and glanced through. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, correct than the official force." "In heaven's name, what for?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, she used." several quiet little villages up there." "Pray do so." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Well, but China?" very old mansion. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable me what he had done with the three missing stones. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So photograph a cabinet?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Heh?' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a might have a private word with us. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great voice, changing her seat as requested. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the eavesdroppers?' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "No, I am descending." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between despaired of." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no outsides of the windows. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. his wife has ceased to love him." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. do." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "What do you make of that, Watson?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "In answer to an advertisement." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and photograph?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to made him keep the appointment." there when the Rucastles went away." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the several quiet little villages up there." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that I am arrested." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Most admirably.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been into her hand at the door and which lured her within their out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the said I. washing it down with a long draught of water. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read room. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "What can you not understand?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my been with you?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Young McCarthy must be got off, however." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I don't say that. Perhaps." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Then what has happened to him?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden in. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening pictures, libraries, or plate. affair. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." depend upon your compliance." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." case before our client came into the room." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if dates and names. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "No good news?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few appointment with me for six o'clock?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "And now?" He raised his hand. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as digesting their breakfasts at home." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Perhaps I have." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass swore that no one else had been in the front room during the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Very murderous indeed." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Street. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?"