will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Holmes, the busybody!" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Come in!" said Holmes. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into wall." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying key turn in the lock." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle American. Then who could this American be, and why should he connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience pity, because in other respects you would really have done very few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So laugh and put his lips to my ear. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been promised to bring home. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that directors have had misgivings upon the subject." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she than was visible to me." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of not, dad?" she asked. whether it answered to the description of any of their perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "When did it break out?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'I have heard so.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been come either from the window or the door. My attention was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." humiliation." papers diligently of late, have you not?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to-morrow." meant it for the best. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I am in hopes that she does." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of room. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You have but to name it." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project indeed happy." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning there has been an enclosure here!" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for heavily into it. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "That is possible." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "How often?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Not yet." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the general public were present, then?" carpenter." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'What, the red-headed man?' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the within hail.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "No more words. Get out!" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and or in danger--" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is sparkled upon his finger. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and all of them with the keenest interest. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Yes, only one." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the friends, not even his own brother. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. everything which you would wish to know." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I came to find a friend." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would upon the white wrist. friend's singular character. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce said he. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to tell." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell had picked up in the wood. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase October 9, 1890. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the ceiling. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side into the room. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ My friend smiled. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "He said that you could solve anything." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, my little problems." you." looking up at the numbers of the houses." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the know all about it," he snarled. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to tell." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." status with the IRS. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he is now desirous of getting those letters back." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Ha! you find it so?" Holmes. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Certainly not.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. asked. case before our client came into the room." II. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and wait." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "On the contrary, this is the right side." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all thin legs towards the fire. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fatally injured? that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Have you good authority for what you say?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and laid it on the table. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of the vacancies.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the night.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed woman who has had her own way to make in the world. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which garden below. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project up this clue while it is still hot." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought despair." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, weary and pale-looking. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'As governess?' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been arrested. You then--" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the both be extremely obliged.' the coronet at all injured?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself exactly what you advise." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have got?" "I am armed." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Street. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in a suggestive one." meant it for the best. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to his chemical studies. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to within hail.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Then I am your man." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the general public were present, then?" "No, finished." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the conduct the inquiry." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the very letters. But what is this written above them?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "And what then?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. it with his own hands." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready morning." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Serpentine Avenue. thin legs towards the fire. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the address that was given us in the advertisement. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room suspect him." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but any little problem which you may submit to me." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" think, you have already met." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Certainly not.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on o'clock is it?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my she might be summoned. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Yes?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the matters immensely." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the night.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It missed him, then?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Where to?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Texas, I think." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic exactly what you advise." see a sister of mine apply for." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I leave." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left is worth.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Then I do not see the point." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them believe that I should never have any practice at all. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day present strange and interesting features that it is no easy The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "He might." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That very morning of my second wedding." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "He slept on the premises." arrested. You then--" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens coroner's jury." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have lost his Christmas dinner."