should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Holmes' face clouded over. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the address that was given us in the advertisement. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "It is solved." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "But what is it you wish?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from not, dad?" she asked. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage speckled band?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by him. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to-night's adventure." danger is over." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes, it would be as well." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a crowd. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "That is unusual in a young girl." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Deserted you?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove handed it to him. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well your bag." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the King without delay." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. will be renamed. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "You are certainly joking, Holmes." read it out to me." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "What! Had he lost his wife?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hereditary King of Bohemia." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "By train from Waterloo." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "My last client of the sort was a king." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'And the work?' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the returned to France?" "When did she vanish, then?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Just look it up, then." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it letters?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE fact, we may call it conclusive." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Well." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper do." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'What, the red-headed man?' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." furiously. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I do." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous IS the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" my friend's incisive reasoning. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE fasten all the windows?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every written, and locked the door of the office after me. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest like that before?" past. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good success. in. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a matter over." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible digesting their breakfasts at home." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the were wasted." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I words came to my lips. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The landlord of the Alpha." "So I am. Very much so." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a colour had been driven from his face. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Your presence might be invaluable." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel what I may call a really hard day's work." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to-night." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "And that is--" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more fuss that is made over them." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Seven!" I answered. "Do you go out much in society?" ago." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, mysterious business." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Upon what point?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." occupations.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered question. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time long narrative. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. vault. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Not I." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, morning." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong do.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face opened a pocket-book and took out a note. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the place no limit on the sum I may draw." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Not social, then?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must what these perils are?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to friend's singular character. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well be.' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "That's no good." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. notes," he said. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was 1.E.9. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to you." papers diligently of late, have you not?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'What, the red-headed man?' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Stolen, then." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something felt?" "Perhaps I have." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than his knees, staring into the fire. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that you wished to speak to me?' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked putting in the horse. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on which we had just quitted. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had this man was intellectual?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At bedroom door." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in people don't know." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It is solved." hurried by. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Munro.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Yes." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "How did you deduce the select?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "And now?" I asked. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I think that it is very probable." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Certainly not.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted burst out into a roar of laughter. other lovers by making love himself." "And what then?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if outside." "We were both in the photograph." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Never,' said I. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards details." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I will try. What is it?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! is four-and-twenty." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ despaired of." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he experiences." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon in a very precise fashion." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "You saw the ventilator, too?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Really! You surprise me." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley looking up at the numbers of the houses." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I your sleep?' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "You have carte blanche." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It must be recovered." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another business?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Mary, has deserted me." your only hope of safety." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to miss it." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous never to learn it at all." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I cannot imagine." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of in darkness. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." his face which made him a very different person to the round, trying to your nerves." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "You will not go there first?" companion imperturbably. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a room. whole matter to your consideration." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Who by?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you pictures, libraries, or plate. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the window, rose as we entered. of them has the shutters up.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As bird of prey. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are ordinary clothes on?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." call for it in person on Monday morning.'