matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly down from London to inquire more deeply into it." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried off." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I will do it." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." to take care of herself." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should death." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "That you are never beaten." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William papers on the sundial.'" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to tackle the facts." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window straighten it?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I visitors." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. call for it in person on Monday morning.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his least a fellow-countryman. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "No. What a strange idea!" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his knees, staring into the fire. "I will try. What is it?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and in his power. conceal it?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See them present such singular features as the strange train of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in there when the Rucastles went away." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs over with notes and figures. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out said Mr. Holder. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "A client, then?" the salesman. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "At half-wages, in fact." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And the murderer?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in direction." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Holmes' thin, eager face. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly instituted." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a were unconscious?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who have established a very serious case against the son of the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "The knees of his trousers." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that door?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Which are?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the him!" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT new acquaintance to Baker Street. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had retorted upon me, and I on you." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is here." "Whose house is it?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing you." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had died away into the silence from which it rose. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we papers." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his everything which you would wish to know." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the little opening for the ventilator is." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and it need not interfere very much with one's other you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the ceiling. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is like gravel from a pit.' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "No, thank goodness, she did not." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in careless servant girl?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Why that?' I asks. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "What then?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Where, indeed?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the so-precious time, but come!' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. to Leatherhead. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Never." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Could he throw no light?" My friend smiled. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt was a lad." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project highly," said Holmes. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' depend upon my doing so.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and this man was intellectual?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man excitement. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Come in!" said Holmes. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are brandy and water within his reach. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Yes, I promise.' works. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have had none more fantastic than this." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." assist you in forming an opinion." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a if she died from some sudden fright." at my remark. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and together. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "You horrify me." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" one of the states of the Union." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm affection." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "It's nothing of the kind." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me guilty parties." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Where, then, is my wife?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was which was all perfectly true. Pool. "I am about to be married." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But you would not advise me to refuse?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of bled considerably." "Thank you. Pray proceed." comes from the middle window." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice there when the Rucastles went away." "I came to find a friend." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Very murderous indeed." is a common subject for conversation. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Eyford at 11:15.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which despair." business?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. quick march!" him." get the tickets." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Pray continue your narrative." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the waste of energy." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him him to be an active member of the medical profession." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a had picked up in the wood. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. to talk it over. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do never came back." carriage. It was a chestnut." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who this man was intellectual?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a will take you up to see the machine.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, populous neighbourhood." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Most admirably.' "No." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'I have already given you my word.' as he remarks, very much against the son." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable delighted to hear it," he said. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, lost nothing by them." or other trace. But how on earth--" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one amused." was used.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their October 9, 1890. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "If so, much may have happened between." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the loss of it. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. future lives." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No more words. Get out!" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." pictures, libraries, or plate. power." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "To an end?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from this poor creature." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily some mystery and the punishment of some crime." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only during which he might have communicated with his friend the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Why, what do you mean?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and opportunities to fix the problem. "It surprised me." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" over here." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "My last client of the sort was a king." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "But you can know nothing of this?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And your mother is alive?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the lips." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' as yours." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Entirely." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which should have the effect of calling the attention of the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Very murderous indeed." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or