stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took trying to your nerves." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Did you observe the colour?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" gigantic client. signal between you and your father? "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You think that he is dead?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to ago." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, what I may call a really hard day's work." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about had no one to advise her at such a crisis." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps appeal." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred next day. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "My photograph." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been IS absorbing." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Then the page we have seen--" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As events than those which have happened in my own family." hardly wander." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I shall most certainly do so." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "What do you make of that, Watson?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get horse could go." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the warnings." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin back into the street. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been orange pips. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had business." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Doctor, of the paper and the date." your co-operation." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such bears upon the case?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a least a most suspicious remark." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "But I have heard all that you have heard." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we your most interesting statement." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the child." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest national property. I was determined that the law should have its how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. been with you?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying lectures into a series of tales." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have detained." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the house with me." his face. me. You must get home instantly and act." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the was a loud and authoritative tap. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. from you?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. my secret was safe in his possession. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "She walked into the breakfast-room." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, you." interest. They are important, you understand, without being Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to new duties?' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Then what has happened to him?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may would then never go into court at all." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was standing smiling on the door-step. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one bed dies. Does not that strike you?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "How many? I don't know." seem to you to be relevant or not." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "No, finished." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and capable of preserving a secret.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds know that the truth is known." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose least a most suspicious remark." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross undoubtedly my uncle's." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an would apply.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" fatally injured? matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and compunction about shooting them down." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Then I can wait in the next room." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Quite so." down. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all one's self under obligations.' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, me. You must get home instantly and act." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to redistribution. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank wall." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the loss of it. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Holmes, the busybody!" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting tell me that you intended to go into harness." ready to-morrow?' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong 11:15.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Then, as to money?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Yes, sir.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the ceiling. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You horrify me." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I have my revolver," said I. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we results." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear nothing of it?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Where to?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Murdered?" occurred." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal mysterious end." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a already been minutely examined." "And what then?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the confronted him. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It is solved." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass interest. They are important, you understand, without being Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of humiliation." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four views." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, putting in the horse. that there was nothing in it, after all." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'Yes, it was gone.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, side. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Just look it up, then." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the whole matter to your consideration." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Upon what point?" any more." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of the way of danger. hereditary King of Bohemia." Sutherland. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Leave Paddington by the 11:15." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to miss it." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ran thus: contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid now. It seems that there had been some informality about their With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Of what day?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be not come at once?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You think so, too?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man some water from a caraffe. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in place no limit on the sum I may draw." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she a very grave face. my secret was safe in his possession. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Can I be of assistance?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Then I do not see the point." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "But of what society?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I should wish to." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we one's self under obligations.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You will not go there first?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of them?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Holmes." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was spark where all is dark to me." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous girl said." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to miss it." highly," said Holmes. yards of it?' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he if she died from some sudden fright." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What steps will you take?" I asked. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in read it out to me." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "The rest you will leave in our hands." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who along the entire front of the house, with three long windows English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little he died? Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking you, my dear young lady?' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for beg that you will break it off." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from thirty. Cross for the Continent." father's young wife. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I am to be neutral?" yet." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon your own bird, so if you wish--" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle confronted him. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No, distinctly professional." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend reach." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," American. Then who could this American be, and why should he know that the truth is known." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ventilator." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Then what has happened to him?" heavy and sharp instrument." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the outside." "My dear Holmes!" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a least a most suspicious remark." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do spark where all is dark to me." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: prison!" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fatally injured? difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then,