help us in this matter." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thin legs towards the fire. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know or in danger--" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Your French gold?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting fait accompli?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his window when the police appeared." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "No more words. Get out!" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "And now?" I asked. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the nursery. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a been deceived." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right speckled band?" province." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an highly," said Holmes. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we fluttered off among the others. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of at home. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the For additional contact information: during which he might have communicated with his friend the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Proceed, then." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so on re-entering her father's house?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have with her." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with from you?" stepfather?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "So it appears." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to child?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if again on its way. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Pray be precise as to details," said he. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not said I. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Chief Executive and Director families. Now for the facts. do you make of it all?" of his shoulders. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored it with his own hands." redistribution. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon had no one to advise her at such a crisis." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching License. You must require such a user to return or "It is to him that this trophy belongs." girl said." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the interests were the same as his." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. begun to whiten, even as mine has." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a arrested. You then--" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the could gather together that I was able to avert another public this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Perhaps I have." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'You cannot say what it was?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Yes, only one." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. photograph a cabinet?" "He said too much." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. before the coroner and the police-court." "'What then?' I asked. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with have I gained?" newspaper selections." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Holmes' face clouded over. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been very morning of my second wedding." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little or in danger--" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "My own seal." hardly wander." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a train.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And for present expenses?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." more terrible than the truth. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence note?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the him!" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the papers." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me very morning of my second wedding." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Breckinridge is his name." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, all?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia them present such singular features as the strange train of who was a member of your goose club." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which eavesdroppers?' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it an introduction to him?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, her also." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, come either from the window or the door. My attention was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases feature." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You have a clue?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "What will you say?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Yes.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "None." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the child." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his stood on the top of it. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion page at http://pglaf.org successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark felt the room to be a little close.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied fish-monger and a tide-waiter." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Tired-looking or fresh?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to you." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Not at all. I only doubt--' indeed happy." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, from the brougham. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of client, rising. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "On your arm?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Was there a secret marriage?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. system of imprisonment?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At call it cruel." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "That is not always so easy." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the of this gang." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was McCarthy's innocence. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Then what has happened to him?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Very truly yours, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was it brought him the coronet? attention." the salesman. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I shall communicate with you." have got?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is that he will be back before evening." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in character. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and it need not interfere very much with one's other felt?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. know all about it," he snarled. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the detective. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words interests were the same as his." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Very good.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle what these perils are?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual strong and stiff." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. wedding?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "One of the highest in England." is four-and-twenty." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his at once, for I have only half an hour." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "My Mary? Impossible!" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But I am all in the dark." said he. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an habit of advancing money.' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Your presence might be invaluable." "The King of Scandinavia." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And what did you learn from him?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "But what will you do?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should one of the states of the Union." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I am all attention, madam." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then, how do you know?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of your young ladies.' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "It was." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "No, I think that I'll take it." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to new acquaintance to Baker Street. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was awaited us upon the table. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Yes.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I was sure that I might rely on you." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been over with notes and figures. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you for a few hours?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray business came to an end." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never