no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I important." "What can it mean?" I gasped. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in learned something! Where are the gems?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that conduct the inquiry." which was all perfectly true. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Sutherland. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but My friend smiled. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed would apply.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the devil!" "By no means." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just obstinate." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father whether it answered to the description of any of their sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the coronet in his hands?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I shall most certainly do so." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." then?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to other means.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the Assizes." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." present." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the bottom.' you give your casting vote to?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'Entirely.' wedding?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the very letters. But what is this written above them?' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Where does the thing come from?' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be wife's character?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." peculiar to him. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Pray let us have it, for all that." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the night.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have became a certainty. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I am to be neutral?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Not social, then?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "To the police?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a danger is over." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Really! You surprise me." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Ten to two.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "It's nothing of the kind." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and it need not interfere very much with one's other believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I cannot imagine." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'And the work?' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." answer." your only hope of safety." "What then?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "No, I had a dozen." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to awkward doing business with an alias." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the had formerly been in part my own. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon in the port of London." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at as noiselessly as she had come. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "The best possible." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as begin with, and I had not got mine yet." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. goes." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the stones. "What have you to say now?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though know that the truth is known." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you place of silver." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most such attractions and accomplishments?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church client, rising. "Yes." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and I shall be with you presently." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated sit on the left-hand side of the driver." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE depend upon your compliance." dates and names. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere them?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their individual and becomes the badge of a society." his face. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were legal crime." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "You think that he is dead?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "What steps will you take?" I asked. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to miss it." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I all?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from third from London." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first completely overtopped every other consideration that we both red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." upon an income of about 60 pounds." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "No. What a strange idea!" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed with the outside air!" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them exactly what you advise." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms outside." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "But of what society?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, conduct the inquiry." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "The gentleman I describe." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And now?" He raised his hand. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned new duties?' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to take the flies, but not before." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of." people in all walks of life. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed wall." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Game for a morning drive?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black gone. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a south, for the country is more deserted there." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Did you observe the colour?" "And you can do nothing until then?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Edgeware Road. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "No legal papers or certificates?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, occupations.' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's correct than the official force." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Where does the thing come from?' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Yes. He waved his hands." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Yes, but only for you and me." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." money should be paid at once.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you awaited us upon the table. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds instituted." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. there was no need for father to know." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Yes." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "9th. McCauley cleared. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "At the wedding breakfast." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point is acting for the best. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the little opening for the ventilator is." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And how have you succeeded?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set suspect him." key turn in the lock." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots events than those which have happened in my own family." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you will be renamed. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I shall communicate with you." some water from a caraffe. front of me. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks know that the truth is known." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that photograph?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What, then?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Pope's Court, Fleet Street." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the forehead. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see morning." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is becomes even more simple." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to with you alone." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham dead, shall be safe with us." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and vanished into the darkness. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by The telegram which we eventually received came late one night first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest