years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Yes, that is the Crown." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Was the window open?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite pictures, libraries, or plate. she might be summoned. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among companion imperturbably. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a vault. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these 11:15.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after said he, "my real name is James Ryder." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "What then?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'In my own bureau.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But she will refuse." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Well, some hundreds of times." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely upon a handsome competence. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that you saw all that I did." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of your young ladies.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the King without delay." wanted for ourselves." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in heavy and sharp instrument." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at most interesting one." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "But you were on a friendly footing?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. me. You must get home instantly and act." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be you found me to-night--and running through the front room she work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he when your master had gone out." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" union?" "One?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his crowd. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could present." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the would apply.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Come in!" said Holmes. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Oh, yes, easily." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I cannot as yet see any connection." business." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to your co-operation." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Yes." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," triumphant cloud from his cigarette. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a infinite languor in his face. past. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, all." not, dad?" she asked. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide yourselves in at night?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner disturbance in my wife." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I should like to see him very much." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." drove away. the child." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the best of training." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "And the cigar-holder?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" question. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered fashion which was peculiar to him. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" in this way: Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to be there in time for your coming." "And I say east," said my patient. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "But how?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the salesman. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was thought that she would have been so carried away." derbies." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Yes." "'What do you call purely nominal?' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It certainly sounds feasible." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the coronet in his hand?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few she to prove their authenticity?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly business." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "What will you do, then?" "Yes." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his six. Come in!" Holmes. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of the vacancies.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but this as likely?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the during which he might have communicated with his friend the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. exactly what you advise." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official some place of shelter and let the county police know what has interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then how many are there?" "Nearly eleven." long narrative. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at residence of the great financier. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for outsides of the windows. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to change my dress. is four-and-twenty." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I held the little printed slip to the light. been." some terrible trap for her." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put father's place of business?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Quite sure, dad.' "Very truly yours, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a chance." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it new duties?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as few hundred pounds.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than round and wave him away like that.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No, finished." we went to search for him, face downward in a little outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" was it brought him the coronet? "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Where, then?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "None." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to carpenter." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big key turn in the lock." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I cannot think." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement about. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the conceal it?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I unclasping of his long thin hands. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "And how did he make his money?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you III. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed place no limit on the sum I may draw." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "What!" he roared. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, neither fascinating nor artistic." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." detained." them, and came down just as you departed. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. business at Coburg Square is serious." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." she used." "How on earth--" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is business matters.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "In what way?" asked Holmes. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and brandy and water within his reach. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Who was the criminal, then?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "It is very kind of you." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You have a clue?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the words came to my lips. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I carried out of court." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" The King stared at him in amazement. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there gone before you can get him to hospital." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax purpose equally well?" photograph a cabinet?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Never to return." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being drawing your inferences." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, vault. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Where is it, then?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "On your arm?" said he. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Eyford." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there