platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. thirty. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I am to be neutral?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one 'I should be able to look after that for you.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled gone before you can get him to hospital." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in assist you in forming an opinion." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far written. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after politicians who had been sent down from the North. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed or in danger--" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a be. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the said I. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my strength." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone fat-encircled eyes. "Witness: Nothing definite. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its strength of mind to control. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Certainly not.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I have my revolver," said I. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be jewels which you have stolen?' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "He slept on the premises." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you pound a week." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of campaign. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "That sounds a little paradoxical." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fait accompli?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Then I can wait in the next room." "Yes, sir." strength of mind to control. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving tail." voice. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Did he not advertise?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets over part of the map. "What do you read?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You were travelling in the States?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to to you." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and do.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you companion. own family. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, I. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Young McCarthy must be got off, however." fait accompli?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in learned something! Where are the gems?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. father's young wife. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the father's place of business?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'What do you call purely nominal?' this man was intellectual?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and would then never go into court at all." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy from the brougham. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The rest you will leave in our hands." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had made him keep the appointment." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." affection." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was used.' highroad, where all traces were lost. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Breckinridge is his name." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Then, as to money?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "But how did you gain them?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I before the coroner and the police-court." "The murder was done with it." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of placed his cuttings. heavy and sharp instrument." "I was afraid that you were engaged." thin legs towards the fire. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. touch that coronet?' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Thank you. Pray proceed." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Ten will be early enough." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the me what he had done with the three missing stones. whatever might befall. "I am about to be married." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to believe that I should never have any practice at all. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Dr. Gregory B. Newby faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that I am arrested." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." companion. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "No." horse could go." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor any." "He is dead," cried several voices. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a never will be, entirely cleared up. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which fishes. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fear." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the matter?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep more terrible than the truth. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody this as likely?" "It is no ordinary one." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses records." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Yes. He waved his hands." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some lids now and glanced across at his visitor. habit of advancing money.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Then I shall certainly come." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this did not hear it also.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for your bag." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to was lame." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and effective." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as affection." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." crowd. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and the whole place is in a blaze." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. shall not find me ungrateful." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he matter." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. lamp in his hand. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "But who is he?" appeal." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "It is possible." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I am armed." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any husband's writing, madam." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his like gravel from a pit.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I am about to be married." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. memory. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Pray continue your narrative." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. brandy and water within his reach. "Not particularly." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "To an end?" outside. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so meanly of me." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ran thus: them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Then let me do so?' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. plantation.' the coroner come to?" coat-tails." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." voice, changing her seat as requested. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Where did you address your letters, then?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Do you go out much in society?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Can I be of assistance?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of them has the shutters up.' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried key of the affair now." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure I shall communicate with you." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But which it had come upon my father." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you gives a meaning to it." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest 1.E.9. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Oh, no.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I have my revolver," said I. "By train from Waterloo." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and little trying to do so much typewriting?" "What then?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'And what are they worth?' I asked. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to tell him that I know him to be innocent." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no bill, which interests me deeply." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." But Holmes shook his head gravely. had a long day." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his wife has ceased to love him." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You horrify me." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "That is easily got." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There keep the flames under. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back,