"Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you affection." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Was the window open?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "The knees of his trousers." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father that before taking the final step I should like to submit the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Why serious?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I see no marks." "It came here." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Look there!" said he. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. guilty one." character. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your business matters.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more strong reason behind." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "He said too much." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a room. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds prisoner's face. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other reach." attention." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." States. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and absorbing." Foundation least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without hard-headed British jury." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It must be recovered." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Street. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you, my dear young lady?' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and put his glass in his pocket. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "She told me to ask you." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the interests were the same as his." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Stoke Moran?" said he. "How can you tell that?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully here and I will read it to you: The summons was a brief and urgent one. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "One of the highest in England." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "How did you trace it, then?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes go from here to the Strand." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "We have tried and failed." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" floor. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he one of them." Clair, of Lee." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Pope's Court, Fleet Street." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" photograph?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen said he, "my real name is James Ryder." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Nothing." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of the way of danger. come either from the window or the door. My attention was owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." more solid." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is should be taken.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Where did he live, then?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The drove away. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my something of him before." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate The King stared at him in amazement. "Yes." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose meant." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Texas, I think." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. leaning back in his chair. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "So I heard. You have him here?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "His face fell immediately. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were characteristics, but those are the more obvious." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you compunction about shooting them down." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from guilty parties." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "But what harm can there be in that?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a constraint." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to were unconscious?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank highroad, where all traces were lost. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" who was a member of your goose club." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly brandy and water within his reach. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be narrative." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged relief. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "The best possible." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The King stared at him in amazement. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and charge against him will break down." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged meanly of me." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish you, my dear young lady?' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which entirely lost his self-respect." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Gutenberg-tm License. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from might help us?" have one." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that, and I came down." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "To ruin me." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons my friend's incisive reasoning. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. less than 26s. 4d. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Yes, certainly." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had burst into a hearty fit of laughter. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means fasten all the windows?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a trifles." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Pope's Court. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will see me here to avoid scandal." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "And when will you call?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the what do you think they found in the pockets?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might room. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One you?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back points to suicide?" developed." your sleep?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom chair. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be entirely lost his self-respect." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be your sleep?' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property as yours." as the one I chose?' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and might help us?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at do.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "The landlord of the Alpha." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems unkempt, staring out at me. your bag." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may himself to hunt down. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room figure." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the past. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa him. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Yes, it was gone.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little bird I ate is country bred." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so advice." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Now, then, what's the last entry?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very