far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of what these perils are?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple place no limit on the sum I may draw." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lumber-room." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Was the window open?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "What office?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in a very precise fashion." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double not personally threatened." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, charged with?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "You don't mind breaking the law?" certainly not very gracious." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and prosperity to your house. Good-night." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Pray do so." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "They are typewritten," I remarked. from the brougham. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted drove away. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days into the bag, and made for the door. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I am to be neutral?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the stepfather?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little his cane at the bell-pull. "I will not look." "In the cells." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, knowledge of the world." "But I have heard all that you have heard." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs papers." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Pray tell us what has happened to you." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "A client, then?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and suspect him." meant." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and all of them with the keenest interest. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has British peeress.'" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But who is he?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy might help us?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and laid it on the table. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party know what is wrong with it.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you allusion to a rat. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "About a month then." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on this poor creature." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of arrangements." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. bird I ate is country bred." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "You forget that I know nothing about it." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Not him." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Where, then, is my wife?" "How did you deduce the select?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a photograph?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting chemical work which was so dear to him. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which later, upon the night of May 2nd." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the King without delay." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Lee, in the county of Kent." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. not, dad?" she asked. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of this gang." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I would pay ten." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored that you can jump it.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on this Miss Turner." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove nonsense.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Yes." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I shall most certainly do so." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Where, then?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to tell." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of London for the present?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Dr. Becher's." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start call the police, let the police find what they can.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the which it had come upon my father." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and question. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is some terrible trap for her." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "In the cells." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is possible." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was himself to tell his story. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. stammered. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have http://gutenberg.net/license). and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was it brought him the coronet? quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. instituted." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock suggested at once that there must be a communication between the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be you do it in twenty minutes!' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "It was." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it washing it down with a long draught of water. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am envelope. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have appointment with me for six o'clock?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rooms." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Sholtos." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to future lives." "'In my own bureau.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Then I shall certainly come." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some go back?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "But we can't all be." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Quite so." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "And that is--" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled as he folded up the epistle. "Nothing." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And Irene Adler?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I think that it is very probable." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I cannot tell." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the crowd. the house with me." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Nearly eleven." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "To an English lawyer named Norton." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You think so, too?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "And how did you find out?" to some other building. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "But you were on a friendly footing?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend wedding?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" know that the truth is known." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about into the bag, and made for the door. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I never have." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I don't believe it." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all vault. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the instincts rose up against that laugh. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and ourselves in the office." shaken than I had ever seen him. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I know where it is." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to appointment with me for six o'clock?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was go from here to the Strand." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my sound at heart." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his when you have done it." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the footfalls from the street. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and nothing of it?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." meant it for the best. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works again." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted time." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard exactly what you advise." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'It is locked up,' I answered. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the your billet.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my weapon." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and the church but not where the lady lived." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George