"She told me to ask you." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in started for the Temple to see my husband. main points of my analysis." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Yes, the wine-cellar." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. so.' himself in a perplexing position. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the side-table." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I have my revolver," said I. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Will you bet, then?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the words came to my lips. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" his knees, staring into the fire. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, congratulate you again." Holmes' room. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all there were so many in the whole country as were brought together very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It is no ordinary one." even of instruction." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at presume?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." shoulder; "he's all right." but preventing her from injuring another. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. night.' said he. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. disappearance of the bride.'" I. becomes even more simple." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Pray do so." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking affair. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't her also." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I don't say that. Perhaps." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in face and glided from the room. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water ready to-morrow?' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he seem to you to be relevant or not." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more forecastle of an emigrant ship. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "You are all wrong." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand correct than the official force." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked of Mr. Rucastle's." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, direction." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to Leatherhead. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the coronet in his hands?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few served to weaken the effect. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And you don't know his address?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael she might be summoned. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and looked back. you in yours." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What is it, then--a fire?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and both be extremely obliged.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so exactly what you advise." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you excitement. certainly not very gracious." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade something of him before." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose coat-tails." were new raised from a basin. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated handed it to him. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the success. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "And I to find an enemy." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were on in his house." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at she used." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Street. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather gbnewby@pglaf.org photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches with some details as to your case." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so 1.E.9. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I cannot imagine." "Have you her photograph?" the Assizes." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that he will be back before evening." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the bed, and you in that chair." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. affair. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a comes from the middle window." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned as this. Pray let me have the details." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Where to?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes." to me. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up spare." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Why, what do you mean?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have unprecedented a position." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Why serious?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour arrangements." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already case-book, which he consulted. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And when will you call?" "Then, how do you know?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, reach." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and trifles." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No, finished." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And now?" He raised his hand. "Nearly eleven." "But he might be a bachelor." conclusions. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the comes from the middle window." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Then let me do so?' "She walked into the breakfast-room." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I cannot tell." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco careless servant girl?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "The Coroner: What do you mean? access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea room?" "This photograph!" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the this Miss Turner." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "But how?" "Yes, certainly." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." thirty. dates and names. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just confronted him. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the his huge brown hands. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from off." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You know me, then?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Very. But will he see it?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want whether it answered to the description of any of their you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in light and attacked it." "Yes. He waved his hands." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only 1.E.9. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has name is different." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "But not more so than I to find you." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my one of the states of the Union." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in it." was it brought him the coronet? affair. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp affection." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four I. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident have I gained?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Holmes' thin, eager face. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I cannot imagine." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Not in a good cause." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see them?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Frequently." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "At the wedding breakfast." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him had this final quarrel? year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at indiscretion." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees notes," he said. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Yes." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The other, as fresh and trim as possible. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "He is still with you, I presume?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at suspect him." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. companion quietly. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to Leatherhead. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, distinctly professional." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "But his left-handedness." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Yes, sir." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Yes, at the mines." "No." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master what these perils are?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "But I have heard all that you have heard."