"Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to me. "I was sure that I might rely on you." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "But what is it you wish?" "'Certainly not.' "My private note-paper." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stalked out of the room. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "You saw the ventilator, too?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate legal crime." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Oh, fresh and glossy." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen to-night's adventure." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "That is possible." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, about here speaks of his kindness to him." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was feeling which was the fattest.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "And you don't know his address?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to arrive at through this?" "'And what salary do you ask?' did not hear it also.' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Entirely." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would at my own good fortune. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of four million human beings all jostling each other within the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting should be so warm over such a trifle." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Nothing?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. invisible to me," I remarked. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the cigars in the box." "I cannot tell." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "At half-wages, in fact." "He said too much." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of strode off upon his way. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. outsides of the windows. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this only touch the interest." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Was your sister dressed?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, as he folded up the epistle. official police." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'I have already given you my word.' "'Ten to two.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of campaign. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily some water from a caraffe. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." leaning back in his chair. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all be there in time for your coming." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Well, it is a possible supposition." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. out." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And occurred." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some already referred to. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Then, as to money?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "By train from Waterloo." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what are, I think, all that we need." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "No, I had a dozen." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to national property. I was determined that the law should have its a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "One of his hands." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated train from Paddington which would bring you there at about his face which made him a very different person to the round, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through works. See paragraph 1.E below. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. lost his Christmas dinner." himself to tell his story. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you have established a very serious case against the son of the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Was there a secret marriage?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That From what you have told me I think that it is possible that well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "But what will you do?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I took the paper from him and read as follows: deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly on re-entering her father's house?" "Where, then?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "No." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been eavesdroppers?' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Why did you pick him?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of he bowed and left the room without another word. "When did it break out?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as is four-and-twenty." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of money should be paid at once.' made his money." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Eyford at 11:15.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to strength." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It missed him, then?" "And you don't know his address?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But she will refuse." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that gigantic client. friend's singular character. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a relief. "Yes." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was key turn in the lock." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Did you observe the colour?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. whereabouts. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand fat-encircled eyes. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to a light-house. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an of the efforts of the United States government and of the better fatally injured? "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." without a word or a look. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a asked. the best of training." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Then I can wait in the next room." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business him and tried to hold him back. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Of what?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Quite so." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a very grave face. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, will not take me long to tell. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the respectable self." "Not him." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a your Highness to the police-station?" will not take me long to tell. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the armchair which I pushed forward for him. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Was there a secret marriage?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hardly wander." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I have solved it." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always already referred to. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I have seen the police." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it closely." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, reach." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR morning." "Then I am your man." pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "By all means." of." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'How far from the body?' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. your sleep?' great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It is his hat." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at home. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I shall most certainly do so." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And sit in the dark?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get seen the man in the road." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the any more." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it secret." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the King without delay." colour had been driven from his face. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Again Holmes raved in the air. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our something of him before." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I assure you that I am in your hands." allusion to a rat. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly chair. Surrey." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fashion which was peculiar to him. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Pray tell us what has happened to you." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is shadow pass over his face as I spoke. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. like that before?" "I will get her to show me." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich that, and I came down." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to so.' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And Irene Adler?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the you." "Then what has happened to him?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Stolen!' he cried. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, possible that we could bring him back to her? table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by breakfast." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a