together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one infinite languor in his face. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what what these perils are?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wedding?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of him. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the allusion to a rat. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Eyford." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I have a cab outside." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to-night?" I asked. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid you for a few hours?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I say that I have solved it." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our may never be exposed to such a temptation." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "What will you do, then?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Was he the only applicant?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical stood on the top of it. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that threaten you." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "The doctor?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first like that before?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing looking up at the numbers of the houses." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'You doubt its value?' he asked. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. must compliment you." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to have that photograph." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that asked with his eyes open. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and place of silver." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the one which it was hard to resist. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "No." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so extraordinary contortions. the date of his supposed suicide." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You are all wrong." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, it was twisted." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bell. Holmes whistled. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he better grown goose." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Deserted you?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have with you?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and inquire as to the address." and laid it on the table. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had in the hope of finding them." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up row." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Certainly not. But why?' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for would then never go into court at all." Holmes' face clouded over. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady asked. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I system of imprisonment?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "An accident, I presume?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." him. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Perhaps we may make them less so." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and no precautions can guard against." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Now, then, what's the last entry?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I am armed." "And I say east," said my patient. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman paper in the air. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "9th. McCauley cleared. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did these bleak autumnal evenings." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the occurred." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of heavily into it. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up been with you?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "But how will you look?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "In heaven's name, what for?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of coat-tails." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the villagers almost as much as their master. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he three of the beryls in it, was missing. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. my former friend and companion. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical society." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt himself. used to be." "I will do it." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "And for present expenses?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. You want to know what became of those geese?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, obstinate." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes, it would be as well." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "That sounds a little paradoxical." I held the little printed slip to the light. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no a good hundred miles off by now." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and the whole place is in a blaze." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, but only for you and me." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a which our visitor detailed to us. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's is so. I know all about McCarthy." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each detained." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all remarked. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a prepare for the new role I have to play." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one own family. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "His face fell immediately. remarked. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It came here." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs anything to do with the matter?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start be best to do. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to a more successful conclusion." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted this man was intellectual?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "How did you deduce the select?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and any more." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling it." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've to miss it." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and which was all perfectly true. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, may never be exposed to such a temptation." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for then?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I have hopes." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet thirty. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. do.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a furiously. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers business in the City. She little knew what. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Nothing." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled them?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing upon the shelf for the interim." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Can I be of assistance?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and absorbing." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but all-comprehensive glances. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. be. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I have a cab outside." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten him." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of his fortune, and I went back to pa. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this sit on the left-hand side of the driver." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from what is your own theory as to what took place?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Street. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you one of them." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism about here speaks of his kindness to him." photograph?" London for the present?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fuss that is made over them." look upon these things in a different way." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have