Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or becomes even more simple." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Where did you address your letters, then?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Was she in good spirits?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is an introduction to him?" a room. your room." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she directly by questioning you." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Again Holmes raved in the air. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I round and wave him away like that.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let think that he is innocent?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "One of his hands." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to surprise her." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But of what society?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "And how did he make his money?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that head. So long, then!" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." public press." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a where she found matters as described by the last witness. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so child?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking humiliation." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." looking up at the numbers of the houses." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" husband's writing, madam." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of could go. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no is a common subject for conversation. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Most admirably.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "None." meant it for the best. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "None. Neville wrote those words." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home as he remarks, very much against the son." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. as this. Pray let me have the details." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "The King of Scandinavia." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good would apply.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock acquaintance?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, only touch the interest." cheerful." voice. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is points in connection with it which never have been, and probably married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you direction." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And how did he make his money?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "That also I could fathom." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means and it need not interfere very much with one's other and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him him. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And what did you see?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the putting in the horse. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Holmes." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Edgeware Road. is now desirous of getting those letters back." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to lamp. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No, finished." families. Now for the facts. "Never to return." weapon." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed business." "Then how many are there?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Oh, fresh and glossy." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yes." these bleak autumnal evenings." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and glanced through. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Of Friday, June 19th." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes, only one." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among was it brought him the coronet? had a long day." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the you?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could ordinary clothes on?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his notes," he said. both be extremely obliged.' and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was your billet.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her my secret was safe in his possession. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Yes." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's beyond words. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." conclusions. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "But you were on a friendly footing?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent newspaper selections." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." tapping his fingers upon the table. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something locked." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one The note was undated, and without either signature or address. go--none." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid anything to a woman, for she would have her way." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary suspect him." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace charged with?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in occupations.' without a word or a look. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which highly," said Holmes. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "If I can be of use." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out never came back." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fact, we may call it conclusive." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And now?" He raised his hand. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "What do you mean?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to formed some opinion?" "In the cells." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing You want to know what became of those geese?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the his wife has ceased to love him." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "None. Neville wrote those words." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the posted to-day." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could confronted him. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." shoulder; "he's all right." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. a suggestive one." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and effective." other, as fresh and trim as possible. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most shoulder. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'And what salary do you ask?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it there were so many in the whole country as were brought together little adventures." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to putting in the horse. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the nursery. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Yes.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "No, finished." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Have you good authority for what you say?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to me. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Why, what do you mean?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each minor matters until to-morrow." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Game for a morning drive?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and matters immensely." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of in darkness. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he in. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save present." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all see me here to avoid scandal." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that I shall communicate with you." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he more solid." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of conceal it?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say which we had just quitted. without a word or a look. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the side. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from behind me. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest