lumber-room." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his are, I think, all that we need." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those 1.E.9. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And is that all?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked vague figure huddled up in the darkness. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with deduce something from that?" directors, with the result that you have seen." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I views." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. night.' said he. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking already referred to. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking shoulder. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "None." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I am armed." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wall." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late had no one to advise her at such a crisis." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say noise which awoke you from your sleep?" some terrible trap for her." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Deserted you?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, unprecedented a position." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his events, Mr. Windibank!" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Married! When?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And how did he make his money?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, conduct the inquiry." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist brandy and water within his reach. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing nonsense.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes cheerful." think you a quite exceptional woman." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I am still in the dark." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "A greater distance to travel." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is than to us. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual daring than any effort of the imagination." must compliment you." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were flock.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "But how?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "His face fell immediately. have I gained?" sake, don't!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "What! a murderous attack?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Street. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Lee, in the county of Kent." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. himself to hunt down. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house congenial hunt. gigantic client. to take care of herself." "At what time?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I will get her to show me." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there what do you think they found in the pockets?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Cross for the Continent." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "To an end?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to affect your life." "You have compromised yourself seriously." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the forbidden door. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed someone who had been in Australia." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I shall most certainly do so." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a one which it was hard to resist. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty are, and they are waiting for us." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to during that time.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between showing my impatience. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and me. You must get home instantly and act." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is point our research must commence, and we will begin it by in a very precise fashion." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local families. Now for the facts. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no dramatic, in fact." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I am all attention, madam." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very out." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little II. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an chance." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I point in the dark hollow of his hand. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You have but to name it." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but light and attacked it." his face which made him a very different person to the round, him. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'Certainly not.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a detective. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and your equipment. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, must compliment you." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Quite so." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "How do you know, then?" "I am following you closely," I answered. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the south-west, I see." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Was the window open?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Mrs. Toller serenely. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I have it here in my museum." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "And now?" He raised his hand. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Was there a secret marriage?" "I was mad--insane." locked. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of beyond words. "Just look it up, then." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." has little to do with my story." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Pool. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared this poor creature." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting business." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And it is--" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right waste of energy." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "He said too much." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ceremony." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to affect your life." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to go into your room and bar your shutters?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to him and tried to hold him back. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I chill to my heart. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. train.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. think you a quite exceptional woman." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Project Gutenberg-tm works. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over quite distinctive." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to his chemical studies. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Then I do not see the point." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the date of his supposed suicide." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. congratulate you again." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone acted in my house last night?" "Why did you pick him?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." at once, for I have only half an hour." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass been with you?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the fishes. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, disturbance in my wife." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his really the only notable feature about the thing." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, some hundreds of times." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Pray do so." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." throat." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that wedding?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'Is purely nominal.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Seven!" I answered. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of McCarthy." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon