an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'And what are they worth?' I asked. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from true." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter outbreak?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already as noiselessly as she had come. how narrow had been my escape. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Stolen, then." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I it. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Oh, yes, easily." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical fait accompli?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And now?" I asked. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Yes, sir." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, knowledge of the world." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual three of the beryls in it, was missing. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fait accompli?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Perfectly so." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate indeed happy." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." chance." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the remarked. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was six. Come in!" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Pray tell us what has happened to you." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Arthur Conan Doyle "Where, then, is my wife?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them begin with, and I had not got mine yet." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "But your client--" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of friends, not even his own brother. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party call you and give you the chance." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may means taking possession of that which another person has a prior with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Upon what point?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said was a loud and authoritative tap. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure coroner's jury." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Ample.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It surprised me." had died away into the silence from which it rose. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Yes, I promise.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was strength in the others." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid giving me time to thank him. for the market.' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you want, then?' "To the police?" not fit the lock." "You know me, then?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot point in the dark hollow of his hand. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes, the wine-cellar." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance charged with?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall intimate personal affairs in this public manner." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. one's self under obligations.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "What then?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" awaited us upon the table. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was whatever might befall. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had signal between you and your father? luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "He is dead," cried several voices. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a even so self-evident a thing as that." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in might have a private word with us. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds think, you have already met." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's these bleak autumnal evenings." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened families. Now for the facts. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I am following you closely," I answered. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "He slept on the premises." back alive. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is III. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." despair." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a must compliment you." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two examination of the premises, but without finding anything which possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I business." been shamefully used." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. corner of the building. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was made his money." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he round with crates and massive boxes. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Leadenhall Street--and--" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after over with notes and figures. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward into the bag, and made for the door. Arthur Conan Doyle present." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I am armed." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." rose-bushes. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, disturbance in my wife." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I say that I have solved it." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, note?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would really the only notable feature about the thing." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the this as likely?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "None. Neville wrote those words." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late amused." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his business came to an end." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Why? What do you mean?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'And the work?' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked crime. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You horrify me!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his maid will bring up your coffee." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "What then?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful next day. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "You have a clue?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most case before our client came into the room." rat could hardly pass through." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business way: joking. main points of my analysis." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could works. See paragraph 1.E below. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Which are?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Ten to two.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers it with his own hands." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San head. So long, then!" do you make of it all?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "It was." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the so-precious time, but come!' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And from a noble client?" delirious. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was emerged. ourselves in the office." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened with the outside air!" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Munro.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Pope's Court. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she voice, changing her seat as requested. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Precisely." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. ashen face. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and glanced through. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Indeed! Whose, then?" article?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To wanted for ourselves." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in British peeress.'" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of in a very precise fashion." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we tail." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to this as likely?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into bearing upon the case." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to-night?" I asked. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Then you may entirely rely on me." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without bird of prey. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck