"We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as to you." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a thin legs towards the fire. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position them, and came down just as you departed. as he folded up the epistle. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a derbies." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in there!' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shoulder. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You don't mind breaking the law?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "At the wedding breakfast." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to talk it over. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "But what harm can there be in that?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ventilator." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Dr. Becher's." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of galvanised. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. lost his Christmas dinner." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had formerly been in part my own. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. little adventures." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn leave you to your papers for a little." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You are all wrong." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the window, rose as we entered. works. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I place of silver." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, were unconscious?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I fear not." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. meant." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and man. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the there when the Rucastles went away." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it disappearance of the bride.'" on re-entering her father's house?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and tail." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It is very kind of you." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the armchair which I pushed forward for him. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after as the one I chose?' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his him!" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You are all wrong." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able shaken than I had ever seen him. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I see no marks." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." rooms." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom spark where all is dark to me." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It looks newer than the other things?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to opportunities to fix the problem. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have accepted such a situation. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying disappearance of these gems?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It missed him, then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Absolutely?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to morning." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "But of what society?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so horse could go." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And I say east," said my patient. matter." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the address that was given us in the advertisement. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and bill, which interests me deeply." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of receipt of the work. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like delighted to hear it," he said. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in page at http://pglaf.org "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I am armed." "Where did you address your letters, then?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you case before our client came into the room." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Why? What do you mean?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I don't believe it." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It is solved." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has miles off. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new You can understand that this register and diary may implicate somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Where could I find him?' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, present." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge memory. himself in a perplexing position. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to tackle the facts." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he that I am arrested." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But what will you do?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get outside. is worth.' "Never." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Henry Baker is a member." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. whatever might befall. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it will he say when he returns?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The summons was a brief and urgent one. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Then, as to money?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to arrive at through this?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself John Swain, of St. Augustine. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to-night?' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him guilty parties." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Not social, then?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And how have you succeeded?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the coroner come to?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and laid it on the table. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of Fenchurch Street." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long room?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I miles off. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing at home. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco neither fascinating nor artistic." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the putting in the horse. second." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her been." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of his shoulders. "It must be recovered." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Come in!" said Holmes. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet prison!" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Where to?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at congratulate you again." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and laid it on the table. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Ample.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the DISSOLVED. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to have that photograph." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to his face. "In which, sir?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Then you may be so with me." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Eyford at 11:15.' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. desk. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me upon the shelf for the interim." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I came to find a friend." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to-night?" I asked. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I say that I have solved it." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Nothing?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I am armed." most interesting one." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I am all attention, madam." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him have an American origin." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "But what is it you wish?" "That you are never beaten." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the one else, I think." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing ourselves in the office." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been indeed which he could not unravel. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is you, my dear young lady?' Edgeware Road. "But how?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Yes, but only for you and me." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, bachelor.' experiences." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes.