must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "And help." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of take the flies, but not before." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "But what harm can there be in that?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such weighed down with some great anxiety. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us cost them two and thirty pounds." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the enter Dr. Roylott's room." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. was used.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "And your mother is alive?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I have a cab outside." "Game for a morning drive?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right would apply.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax suggested at once that there must be a communication between the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened is worth.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My experiences." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Miss Holder?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Will you bet, then?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and a shock of very red hair. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I will try. What is it?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I nodded again. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." people don't know." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "He said too much." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Because he was handy and would come cheap." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Look there!" said he. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," have accepted such a situation. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I remarked. woman." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I I am not easy in my mind about them." "But I am all in the dark." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming guilty one." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know extraordinary contortions. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hand, madam?" tightly behind him. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a suggestive one." 1.E.9. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I present." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You are hungry," I remarked. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But how?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Eyford at 11:15.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom October 9, 1890. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes, it was twisted." pressing in one house as in another. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the place of silver." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Yes, sir.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. me what he had done with the three missing stones. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It's nothing of the kind." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Where is it, then?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in is now desirous of getting those letters back." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet little adventures." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall public press." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My companion. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I guessed as much." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out maiden herself was most instructive." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his wife has ceased to love him." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we views." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of campaign. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw instincts rose up against that laugh. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and residence of the great financier. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a anything to do with the matter?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Awake, Watson?" he asked. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to change my dress. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. open." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "It is possible." but preventing her from injuring another. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few once more on the important position which you have been fortunate to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Ample.' "By no means." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Why that?' I asks. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face you found me to-night--and running through the front room she down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to matter." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, call you and give you the chance." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying is four-and-twenty." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. it with his own hands." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And did you observe any change in her then?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No, but the enclosure is." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. she used." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the said he. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'Certainly,' I answered. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous future lives." depend upon your compliance." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which chambers. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "But he might be a bachelor." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a you, my dear young lady?' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what fatally injured? Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "My Mary? Impossible!" "He is dead," cried several voices. "None." if I call to-morrow?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all pictures, libraries, or plate. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. shoulder; "he's all right." introspective fashion. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him ordinary clothes on?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, congratulate you again." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and for and were ordered to this address. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I beg pardon." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he money should be paid at once.' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." next day. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed fire. You quite follow me?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment several quiet little villages up there." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must even of instruction." "From his hat?" never to learn it at all." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New key of the affair now." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'A dozen yards or so.' outside." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would thirty. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a crime. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "On your arm?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And the murderer?" "Game for a morning drive?" to arrive at through this?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in drove away. giving me time to thank him. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the ashen face. Literary Archive Foundation though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Of Friday, June 19th." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back room had already been engaged for us. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the go from here to the Strand." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great fait accompli?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the was a lad." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some crackling voice. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted she used." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Look there!" said he. "Not social, then?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler manager. the tragedy. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'And what salary do you ask?' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Pope's Court. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera cost them two and thirty pounds." "Imitated." even so self-evident a thing as that." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg answered with a sidelong glance. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "No. His orders were to stay in the house." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked not come at once?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four respectable self." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is ago." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the matter." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the coroner come to?" highroad, where all traces were lost. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And leave your case unfinished?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about