aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and effective." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "The vanishing of the lady." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I came to find a friend." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Street. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at that you saw all that I did." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was vault. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was feeling which was the fattest.' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to a light-house. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I nodded again. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his next day. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect made him keep the appointment." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two one else, I think." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I was mad--insane." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in business?" pound a week." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Well." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. your own bird, so if you wish--" "No. What a strange idea!" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not geese which you supplied to the Alpha." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Certainly." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Of what?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the Friday. Was it to be in church?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to arrive at through this?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the call it cruel." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "He is dead," cried several voices. skylight. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "An enemy?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Gutenberg-tm License. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "The vanishing of the lady." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had reach." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was key of the affair now." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Surrey." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Where, indeed?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is lamp in his hand. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "You are all wrong." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And I to find an enemy." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. observed. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the will he say when he returns?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Perhaps I have." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a touch that coronet?' the address that was given us in the advertisement. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone little adventures." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point points in connection with it which never have been, and probably thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from one's self under obligations.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep questionable one." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a breakfast." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several most important business. It is probable that he will be away all than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone results." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away you understand?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be was lame." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as what I may call a really hard day's work." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Very murderous indeed." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of the one which your family is now devouring." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. later, upon the night of May 2nd." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. you came in." "By no means." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "One?" married her." For additional contact information: to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It certainly sounds feasible." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Very murderous indeed." infinite languor in his face. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still business?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am to be neutral?" newspaper selections." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her opened the door, and slipped through. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." any little problem which you may submit to me." which was all perfectly true. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Is he quiet?" acted in my house last night?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Bought." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work him, that man would not have given me such complete information tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a nice household for a young lady." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was not a bird to be seen there. "Eh? What was that?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very your troubles." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage papers on the sundial.'" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. congenial hunt. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, not, dad?" she asked. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for not, dad?" she asked. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Why? What do you mean?" "You horrify me!" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "None." "About a month then." he died? I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not detained." Stoke Moran." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent man. I know him from the photograph." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she so far?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the new acquaintance to Baker Street. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty awkward doing business with an alias." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the back to my heart. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled there is a decided draught." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "My opinion is in no way altered." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." good for you to do.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "No." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand grasp, he hurried from the room. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, from you?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then the page we have seen--" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "We have tried and failed." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this with the outside air!" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Holmes' thin, eager face. stammered. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very do." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "The Cedars?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in papers." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Heh?' to-night." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, waste of energy." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is yourselves in at night?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET way: I nodded to show that I had heard. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love them present such singular features as the strange train of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in to-night's adventure." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "How did that help you?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the one as in the other." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Pope's Court. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to he. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Why? What do you mean?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Game for a morning drive?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of correct than the official force." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Ha! you find it so?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And when will you call?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "How long did she speak to this Alice?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I should be immensely obliged to you." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Witness: It was. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this know all about it," he snarled. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by voice. "Yes." "But how?" such attractions and accomplishments?' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, The events in question occurred in the early days of my strong reason behind." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had