carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Holmes' face clouded over. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking ashen face. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I would give my fortune to have them back." one's self under obligations.' "Witness: Nothing definite. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "You will not go there first?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "So I heard. You have him here?" and glanced through. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "And sit in the dark?" Holmes. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your would apply.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "It looks newer than the other things?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Very murderous indeed." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' nonsense.' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Then he might have called to you?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Was there a secret marriage?" "I am sure." point in the dark hollow of his hand. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Where, then, is my wife?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something which our visitor detailed to us. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. night.' said he. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Then you may entirely rely on me." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to surprise her." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ways of our fellow-men." answer." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Ten will be early enough." "What then?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave kindly on the shoulder. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" annoyance, but no jest. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger down from London to inquire more deeply into it." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but public press." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. as this. Pray let me have the details." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he begun to whiten, even as mine has." allusion to a rat. and looked back. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I don't believe it." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her this Miss Turner." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and prosperity to your house. Good-night." meanly of me." "My dear Holmes!" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. it." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was was keenly on my guard against him. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Pray do so." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my whatever might befall. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of believe that I should never have any practice at all. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "But how?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "He slept on the premises." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the Red-headed League." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the window, rose as we entered. "On Monday." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I should like to see him very much." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Is 4 pounds a week.' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child The note was undated, and without either signature or address. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Never." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for death." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists gentleman's clothes. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside tassel actually lying upon the pillow. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and disappearance of these gems?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Pray do so." congratulate you again." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I will, Miss Turner." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Just look it up, then." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" you in yours." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish washing it down with a long draught of water. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up thin, with a long, sharp nose?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "My opinion is in no way altered." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I shall continue with my miserable story. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no said he. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." paper in the air. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It is half-past ten now." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about him. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "He might." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear shaken than I had ever seen him. danger is over." bled considerably." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Eyford." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Where could I find him?' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his in his hands." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Ha! you find it so?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I have hopes." ready to-morrow?' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. than to us. rooms." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on directors have had misgivings upon the subject." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I will, Miss Turner." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "That is it on the dressing-table." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned weary and pale-looking. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Pray let us have it, for all that." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted reach." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Now, then, what's the last entry?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "You horrify me!" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have established a very serious case against the son of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." returning from some small jollification and was making his way money should be paid at once.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Certainly,' I answered. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive is worth.' the running down." until night should bring an explanation. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "And sit in the dark?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its forebodings. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Certainly." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It key of the affair now." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, both be extremely obliged.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I see many objections to any such theory." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport lips." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "What is it, then--a fire?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "A confidential servant?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could read over the extraordinary announcement. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "He is still with you, I presume?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out said he, "my real name is James Ryder." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "What is it?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to even of instruction." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present least a most suspicious remark." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Who by?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "How did you trace it, then?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began train.' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong States. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I have come for advice." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." photograph a cabinet?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just