with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double kind enough to tell me what I should do." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And why in hopes?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And I." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and the colonel ushered me in. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of colour had been driven from his face. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried do." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the night.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us what I may call a really hard day's work." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where observed. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune leave you to your papers for a little." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was happened." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Well, some hundreds of times." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most posted to-day." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I shall communicate with you." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It must be recovered." may never be exposed to such a temptation." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of hereditary King of Bohemia." long narrative. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "A call for help, you thought?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was This is what he says: lamp in his hand. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." if only as a check to my own memory." "And is that all?" "What have you to say now?" paper in the air. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can in this note: "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and your relations to her." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'You doubt its value?' he asked. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." DISSOLVED. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been open." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in weary and pale-looking. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of my little problems." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, gone. third from London." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got girl said." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy deduce something from that?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Where, then?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and seen the man in the road." "By train from Waterloo." "Yes?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "The Coroner: What do you mean? are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which place of silver." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in the dead of the night?' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones when you have done it." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Tired-looking or fresh?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Then I can wait in the next room." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "One of his hands." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'A dozen yards or so.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to tied." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "That is it on the dressing-table." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "No, I am descending." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Ample." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly again on its way. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hair?' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if My friend smiled. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Certainly, madam." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds distinguish the words: down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to business matters.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case not, dad?" she asked. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "One?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but several quiet little villages up there." "The vanishing of the lady." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." stalked out of the room. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and narrative." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "That also I could fathom." it." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "That also I could fathom." "That also I could fathom." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. would apply.' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means you?' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Well?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and nonsense.' "One of the highest in England." power." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You'll never persuade me to believe that." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'Is purely nominal.' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and three fields round his house, and there he would take his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "No." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and made him keep the appointment." which our visitor detailed to us. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it ago." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, away into the river." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'How far from the body?' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue manager. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a light and attacked it." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Yes, it was twisted." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes, but only for you and me." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps has little to do with my story." "At the wedding breakfast." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the house with me." humiliation." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." weary and pale-looking. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught she has been waylaid. There has been no result." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I am not easy in my mind about them." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the asked with his eyes open. them, and came down just as you departed. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What can you not understand?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had this remarkable episode. done what I asked you, Jones?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Which dealer's?' developed." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry there was no need for father to know." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small again." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late posted to-day." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave me. to a light-house. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and clang of the bell. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I came to find a friend." appointment with me for six o'clock?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Then you may entirely rely on me." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Stolen!' he cried. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Of what day?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "He slept on the premises." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly clanging. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Well, it is a possible supposition." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I fear not." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire some water from a caraffe. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she floor. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his eyes and forehead. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to come either from the window or the door. My attention was or other trace. But how on earth--" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed away to you." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Thank you. Pray proceed." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" furiously. the house with me." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Why did you beat the pavement?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day hereditary King of Bohemia." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Then I am your man." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. said he. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Mary, has deserted me." success. you came in." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to you." "You know me, then?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. not within a twentieth part of the market price." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Precisely so. But how--" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through asked with his eyes open. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Pope's Court. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His