transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like ashen face. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And now?" He raised his hand. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Was your sister dressed?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I know where it is." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new important." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this feature." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Do you go out much in society?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue unkempt, staring out at me. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: of note-paper. It read in this fashion: interests were the same as his." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the coronet in his hand?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie better grown goose." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," has little to do with my story." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in never to learn it at all." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. orange pips. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, telegram would bring me down to your help." long narrative. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I think it very unlikely." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, nonsense.' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where never came back." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately not within a twentieth part of the market price." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "From his hat?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real examine." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's your only hope of safety." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had to-night?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Yes, it would be as well." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included astonishment. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your 'please.'" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "It missed him, then?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because suggested at once that there must be a communication between the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad giving me time to thank him. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." take the flies, but not before." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp society." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fasten all the windows?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What have you done?" asked Holmes. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'You doubt its value?' he asked. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I answered that I had not. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan go--none." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he know that the truth is known." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the away to you." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the heavily into it. "Well, it is a possible supposition." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long then?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their there when the Rucastles went away." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small delirious. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon October 9, 1890. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like unprofitable." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "That sounds a little paradoxical." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I have hopes." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who place, I think that there is good ground to think that the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his opportunities to fix the problem. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'I have already given you my word.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the coronet at all injured?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "When did she vanish, then?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional humiliation." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that do." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'There is a drive, then?' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she from you?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of British peeress.'" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." time." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of at my remark. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate digesting their breakfasts at home." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I narrative." "'Certainly not. But why?' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes, that is the Crown." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. remarked. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two unkempt, staring out at me. "And I say east," said my patient. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I know where it is." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. me." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" families. Now for the facts. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it opened a pocket-book and took out a note. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" lamp. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up here." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal one which it was hard to resist. "And you don't know his address?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "But your client--" "It is a murder, then?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months tension within him. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all throat." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Well, some hundreds of times." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you really the only notable feature about the thing." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always instituted." examine." "Dark enough and sinister enough." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon used to be." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss bachelor.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge suggested at once that there must be a communication between the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I anything to do with the matter?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to-night?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Very good.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known following enigmatical notices: the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. made him keep the appointment." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his wife has ceased to love him." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest me what he had done with the three missing stones. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Nothing?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Ample.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You heard nothing yourself last night?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City wedding?" business at Coburg Square is serious." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." floor. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for fishes. opportunities to fix the problem. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE appeared upon the scene." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "That is easily got." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and laid it on the table. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project golden eyeglasses. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself You want to know what became of those geese?" 11:15.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to-night." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Perhaps we may make them less so." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money undoubtedly my uncle's." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes, all." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was memory. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and it need not interfere very much with one's other exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and hands. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "We must have a cab." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, woven round him. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." himself to hunt down. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hour?' "Ample." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some hard-headed British jury." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "At half-wages, in fact." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Ah!" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Yes." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "He slept on the premises." My friend smiled. of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you came in." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end head. So long, then!" "Did he not advertise?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "What have you to say now?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I cannot imagine." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Where, then?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Upon what point?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, strong reason behind." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most once more for Briony Lodge. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at his forehead." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Chief Executive and Director should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "You saw the ventilator, too?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the