"Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of campaign. at once, for I have only half an hour." "Her father is very rich?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to you understand?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that you wished to speak to me?' once more to my work. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" words came to my lips. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this your own bird, so if you wish--" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "What will you say?" business matters.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And how did he make his money?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or signal between you and your father? unclasping of his long thin hands. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "But what is it you wish?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Nothing?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I think it very unlikely." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small or other trace. But how on earth--" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham think that he is innocent?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. head. So long, then!" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. him!" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Holmes' face clouded over. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly you want, then?' "'What, the red-headed man?' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, salesman. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he bowed and left the room without another word. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "My opinion is in no way altered." matter." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Precisely so. But how--" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, said Mr. Holder. "Nothing?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the dangers which encompass me." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But who is he?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Mary, has deserted me." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of the one which your family is now devouring." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, unprofitable." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the not fit the lock." I. "Yes, I have one waiting." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "About a month then." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But points to suicide?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Stolen." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't shaken than I had ever seen him. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "What! Had he lost his wife?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the nursery. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in the hope of finding them." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Why did you pick him?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Do you know him?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the brandy and water within his reach. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with you alone." "What steps will you take?" I asked. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite excitement. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, will he say when he returns?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a monotonous occupation." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And why in hopes?" "You have carte blanche." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My know what is wrong with it.' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then shag which I had seen upon the previous night. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we girl said." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the telegram would bring me down to your help." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have been better. It is all right." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, read over the extraordinary announcement. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of quite distinctive." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of miles off. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "What then?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You have carte blanche." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the salesman. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the case-book, which he consulted. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the then?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Why that?' I asks. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through he bowed and left the room without another word. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "He disappeared so suddenly." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly tension within him. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and I shall be with you presently." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I said he. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are official police." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Nor running a chance of arrest?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a problems help me to do so." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able one of them." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! You want to know what became of those geese?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "If so, much may have happened between." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel note?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Yes, it was twisted." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "A call for help, you thought?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper for its centre. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without weary and pale-looking. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "She showed me, as I told you she would." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a charged with?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the salesman. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that do.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which constraint." "No, thank goodness, she did not." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads in one or two places in England?' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I will do it." "To ruin me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Always." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Pool. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." extraordinary contortions. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Perhaps we may make them less so." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what than was visible to me." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But you can know nothing of this?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the woman." way in." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl said Mr. Holder. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I cannot as yet see any connection." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing was once confined in the cab my mission was practically ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "That is it on the dressing-table." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. all?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for His smile broadened. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "And it is--" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to acted in my house last night?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my helping a boy to put up the shutters. Stoke Moran." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. which are rolled in Rotterdam." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know skylight. for its centre. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, window when the police appeared." main points of my analysis." the driver. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be I shall continue with my miserable story. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added keep the flames under. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those results." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "To the police?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making closing the door. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase before, for it was considerably after midnight. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Can I be of assistance?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey chemical work which was so dear to him.