dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my learned something! Where are the gems?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, depend upon your compliance." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good see me here to avoid scandal." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in him." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the dead, shall be safe with us." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers events than those which have happened in my own family." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "To the police?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the address that was given us in the advertisement. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and over with notes and figures. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up come either from the window or the door. My attention was wife's character?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to humiliation." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Clair, of Lee." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again call you and give you the chance." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the driver. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to business." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual yourselves in at night?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the confronted him. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Bought." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "On the contrary, this is the right side." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid said he at last. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my special province." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the paper in the air. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of campaign. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "My dear Holmes!" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this strength of mind to control. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, conclusions. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And how did he make his money?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Oh, yes, easily." "But who is he?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle seem to you to be relevant or not." anything to do with the matter?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can my former friend and companion. may never be exposed to such a temptation." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I shall be delighted." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist wedding?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. flock.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in there in twenty minutes." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yes, sir." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon about here speaks of his kindness to him." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Yes, at the mines." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the best of training." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the must compliment you." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Count Von Kramm." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your that I may have something better before very many minutes are closing the door. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Of Friday, June 19th." already referred to. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a again." "And why?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. had this final quarrel? her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of Fenchurch Street." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "How often?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of may never be exposed to such a temptation." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was then?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk unprecedented a position." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." like that before?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Sholtos." "'I have heard so.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. ago." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, conduct the inquiry." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his huge brown hands. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Ten to two.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner better grown goose." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the so-precious time, but come!' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a once more. were unconscious?" writers could invent nothing more crude." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with something of him before." himself to tell his story. sooner or later she must fall a victim. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "That also I could fathom." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Whose house is it?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution it." observed. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "She showed me, as I told you she would." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "The Coroner: What do you mean? going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Where did he live, then?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I feature." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my minor matters until to-morrow." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert in him." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Munro.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Witness: It was. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Very. But will he see it?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy an introduction to him?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, have not had my rubber." way in everything. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." cost them two and thirty pounds." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens papers on the sundial.'" I. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Very good.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the address that was given us in the advertisement. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very conclusions. "Her father is very rich?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I six. Come in!" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you want, then?' distinguish the words: upon a handsome competence. good-night and bustled off upon her way. business." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No?" coat-tails." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Yes, he did." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the IS in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had through." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Look there!" said he. you." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to see me here to avoid scandal." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening house for five minutes.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And help." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "He said too much." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves I took the paper from him and read as follows: and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "How many? I don't know." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard are windows in it, of course?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the your sleep?' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "It is possible." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You did not overhear what they said?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Heh?' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Gutenberg-tm License.