Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Holmes, the busybody!" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I see me here to avoid scandal." business at Coburg Square is serious." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "No good news?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Yes." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the kind enough to tell me what I should do." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "No." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at client, rising. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "May I see it?" are windows in it, of course?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a unkempt, staring out at me. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which answer." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their have accepted such a situation. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." always that they were such commands as a lady might with As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. was lame." and effective." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No." "May I see it?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might conclusions. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Did he not advertise?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'What, the red-headed man?' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety where she found matters as described by the last witness. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family suggested at once that there must be a communication between the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and him." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any as he folded up the epistle. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now back alive. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. your billet.' companion quietly. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Where, then, is my wife?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's clang of the bell. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a her also." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman I have it here in my museum." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which asked with his eyes open. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I came to find a friend." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of it with the greatest attention. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "From his hat?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, newspaper selections." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father certainly not very gracious." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Henry Baker is a member." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of against a man in the prime of life?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream allusion to a rat. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Then let me do so?' "Won't it ring?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in public press." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your situation." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I answered that I had not. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the easy-going way." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the gentleman's clothes. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very You want to know what became of those geese?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is already been minutely examined." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining down from London to inquire more deeply into it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I was mad--insane." "Who by?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, lumber-room." should be so warm over such a trifle." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through already referred to. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to a light-house. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me past. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you at once, for I have only half an hour." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew affection." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I guilty parties." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of train.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "No." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. that "'Certainly,' I answered. with her." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I am all attention, madam." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It is to him that this trophy belongs." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had easy-going way." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "There is the writing." "'Certainly,' I answered. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It is true that I have been generally successful." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that threaten you." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our only touch the interest." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. delighted to hear it," he said. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "The King of Scandinavia." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one companion imperturbably. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are where she found matters as described by the last witness. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to a light-house. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "You horrify me." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Have you it here?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came forehead. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. before the coroner and the police-court." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then you may entirely rely on me." the tragedy. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have established a very serious case against the son of the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Stolen!' he cried. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "He is still with you, I presume?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. him nearly every evening." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in then?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" have I gained?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining think, you have already met." absorbing." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own wedding?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De narrative." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit bled considerably." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fear." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "How often?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "A confidential servant?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he at home. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, I have one waiting." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. intrusion of other matters." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. might have a private word with us. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "My dear Holmes!" "How many? I don't know." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of the way of danger. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It is half-past ten now." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ my former friend and companion. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the woven round him. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, photograph?" "The murder was done with it." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' mysterious end." three fields round his house, and there he would take his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. placed his cuttings. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Well, but China?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I don't say that. Perhaps." grasp, he hurried from the room. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in deduce something from that?" went to the Alpha were town bred." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or opened a pocket-book and took out a note. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "But not more so than I to find you." "I should like to see him very much." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And from a noble client?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable newspaper selections." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Stoke Moran?" said he. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note following enigmatical notices: "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'How far from the body?' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Then, how do you know?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned bled considerably." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which swore that no one else had been in the front room during the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the guilty one." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she enter into my head. "Stoke Moran?" said he. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and business matters.' society." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a