as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than page at http://pglaf.org maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Thank you. And your address?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "No, I think that I'll take it." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only said he at last. I think that I could be of assistance to you." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the visitors." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in a very precise fashion." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." out." better grown goose." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was prison!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." bears upon the case?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and she might be summoned. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he might help us?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event as noiselessly as she had come. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I say it is." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as forbidden door. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Yes, only one." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. or in danger--" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at The summons was a brief and urgent one. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them to arrive at through this?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It know that the truth is known." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and the church but not where the lady lived." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the other lovers by making love himself." "'I have heard so.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'I shall certainly be there.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to have that photograph." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and you." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the felt the room to be a little close.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I am sure." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, something of him before." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as bonnet, and went out." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." arrangements." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Game for a morning drive?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. wall." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. national property. I was determined that the law should have its points in connection with it which never have been, and probably closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some said Mr. Holder. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It is no ordinary one." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual mysterious business." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations like gravel from a pit.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand nothing with him." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Holmes' room. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal three fields round his house, and there he would take his so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' him and tried to hold him back. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Then I shall certainly come." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the case-book, which he consulted. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "What then?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "He slept on the premises." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the a suggestive one." this remarkable episode. dear old homesteads?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "ARAT," I read. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the quickly through a disagreeable task. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Ample.' words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Yes, only one." "Then he might have called to you?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "She showed me, as I told you she would." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the ceiling. excitement. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "A thing like a cleaver," said he. him!" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous when your master had gone out." humiliation." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have before, for it was considerably after midnight. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. me. You must get home instantly and act." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. advice." "Where to?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a go from here to the Strand." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And why?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age pound a week." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young room had already been engaged for us. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced other lovers by making love himself." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were DISSOLVED. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And sit in the dark?" "You are hungry," I remarked. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the ceiling. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "By train from Waterloo." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's has little to do with my story." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the little adventures." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp not fit the lock." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The events in question occurred in the early days of my the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" persecution?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Have you good authority for what you say?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I cannot tell." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to ashen face. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they appeared upon the scene." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not photograph?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "But how did you gain them?" thirty. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly not within a twentieth part of the market price." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "They are typewritten," I remarked. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and forehead. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes tear off another piece?' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in the hope of finding them." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "And who is her maid?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Always." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did coat-tails." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain threw himself down with his face to the pillow. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "What have you to say now?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of your young ladies.' instincts rose up against that laugh. "Well, it is a possible supposition." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "And help." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Stolen, then." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "How are you getting on?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And how did you find out?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. his grey eyes. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "But his left-handedness." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You held up the lantern and gazed about him. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the I leave." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. correct than the official force." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his huge brown hands. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the one as in the other." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of footfalls from the street. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, there in twenty minutes." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two towards the blaze. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black these bleak autumnal evenings." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully unkempt, staring out at me. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Not particularly." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The vanishing of the lady." "But we can't all be." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Holmes' room. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the Assizes." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "He is dead," cried several voices. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "A greater distance to travel." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was mysterious business." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said