was lame." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Dr. Gregory B. Newby where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I will get her to show me." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "The knees of his trousers." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, bled considerably." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and present." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for photograph?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And Irene Adler?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "It is half-past ten now." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Not in the least." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over village inn over there?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would to affect your life." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon directors, with the result that you have seen." what these perils are?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the think, you have already met." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." crime." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been whatever might befall. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Precisely so. But how--" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, make me his representative both with the servants and with the attention." advice." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" know that the truth is known." "What is it?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "And I say east," said my patient. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to said he. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of crime. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Really! You surprise me." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his kind enough to tell me what I should do." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Who was the criminal, then?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She cigars in the box." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The events in question occurred in the early days of my trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "By no means." "He slept on the premises." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Stoke Moran?" said he. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no together. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Then let me do so?' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his way: "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Can I be of assistance?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled keep the flames under. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for next day. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and main points of my analysis." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "She walked into the breakfast-room." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Chief Executive and Director *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Ten will be early enough." might help us?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "But I am all in the dark." murdered man." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on deduce something from that?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, thought that she would have been so carried away." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if into the bag, and made for the door. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Texas, I think." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I don't believe it." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was so.' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon like gravel from a pit.' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Leadenhall Street--and--" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Nothing?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else McCarthy." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the inquest, and which are worth considering." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Stolen, then." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But what is it you wish?" "You horrify me!" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and window when the police appeared." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Witness: Nothing definite. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'Certainly not.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the vault. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet how narrow had been my escape. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And that is--" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by national property. I was determined that the law should have its "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." strong reason behind." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "What are they?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of towards the blaze. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Then I can wait in the next room." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, entirely lost his self-respect." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I am following you closely," I answered. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to have been novel and of interest." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is writing, and yet I know it well." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, answered with a sidelong glance. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Cross for the Continent." him, that man would not have given me such complete information blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "How do you know, then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "How can you tell that?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She are, I think, all that we need." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the morning and make my own way in the world.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about eavesdroppers?' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Then you may be so with me." particular state visit http://pglaf.org meanly of me." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Quite sure, dad.' have an American origin." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the possible that we could bring him back to her? his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do remarked. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of possible that we could bring him back to her? street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I never have." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the until night should bring an explanation. observed. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Pray continue your narrative." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done gone. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of occurred." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, row." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But are, and they are waiting for us." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "None." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. manager. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "An accident, I presume?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "And how did you find out?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "No." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Dirty?" a good hundred miles off by now." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way American. Then who could this American be, and why should he you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Yes." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I answered that I had not. main points of my analysis." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, It may be so in this case, also." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the at home. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The King of Scandinavia." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir beg that you will break it off." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by you for a few hours?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no The telegram which we eventually received came late one night some water from a caraffe. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." her also." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black out of this horrible affair." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Was he the only applicant?" unkempt, staring out at me. "'I am sure if I had known--' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "In heaven's name, what for?" fattened it expressly for you.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. have had none more fantastic than this." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our The King stared at him in amazement. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good chambers. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight London for the present?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and make me his representative both with the servants and with the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I some water from a caraffe. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had salesman. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Where, then?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But your client--" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, stalked out of the room. "You will not go there first?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "It is half-past ten now." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and charge against him will break down." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he walking." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his side. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he I leave." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong back to my heart. bell. Holmes whistled. "You have carte blanche." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'And the work?' several quiet little villages up there." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Indeed! Whose, then?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in friends, not even his own brother. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what have one." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." is," said he presently: have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in hands. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the