"Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Ah!" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the child." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some less than 26s. 4d. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such straighten it?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, wedding?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Serpentine Avenue. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then you may entirely rely on me." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a your troubles." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "The doctor?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Breckinridge is his name." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "How did you trace it, then?" kindly on the shoulder. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been that he will be back before evening." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "He said too much." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Her father is very rich?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist come either from the window or the door. My attention was over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, developed." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? extraordinary contortions. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Clair, of Lee." not fit the lock." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, bell. Holmes whistled. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "What do you mean?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Pray let us have it, for all that." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, it were putty." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "But how?" him!" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Quite sure, dad.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Well, but China?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. rat could hardly pass through." "To ruin me." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Get out!" said he. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Where does the thing come from?' and laid it on the table. article?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he o'clock is it?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate wedding?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "How many? I don't know." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without trying to your nerves." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest because she had spent so short a time in this country that she table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes, from Horsham." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him his forehead." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss forbidden door. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Game for a morning drive?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Never." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Lee, in the county of Kent." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' maid will bring up your coffee." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout tell him that I know him to be innocent." had died away into the silence from which it rose. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of records." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and depend upon your compliance." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of friends, not even his own brother. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his bled considerably." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." sofa. This way, please!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "None." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this voice. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Then I can wait in the next room." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the south-west, I see." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "What can you not understand?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Lee, in the county of Kent." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to But Holmes shook his head gravely. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. your billet.' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and depend upon your compliance." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I was concerned in it." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and call the police, let the police find what they can.' Chief Executive and Director peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "But how will you look?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "There are none." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. his eyes and forehead. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Street. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you not within a twentieth part of the market price." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid some water from a caraffe. it with his own hands." the warnings." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I there has been an enclosure here!" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips nothing of it?" "In answer to an advertisement." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been considering the formidable letters which were received by himself prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business returned to France?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Chief Executive and Director that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "No." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE there is a decided draught." behind me. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever important." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a skylight. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Is he quiet?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a asked. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive crime. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "What is it?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger lumber-room." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch get the tickets." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "No." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But she could not love him." appeared upon the scene." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Where to?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a one else, I think." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "None." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand shall not find me ungrateful." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," ago." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in the port of London." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I said he at last. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Stolen." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the better grown goose." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to that open window." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a will he say when he returns?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have been better. It is all right." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Yes." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I am still in the dark." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of me. You must get home instantly and act." on in his house." "If I can be of use." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of maid will bring up your coffee." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no you came in." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his