The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "What steps will you take?" I asked. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the miles off. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a all that?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, it is a possible supposition." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to becomes even more simple." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other is entirely a question of barometric pressure." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And what then?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without American. Then who could this American be, and why should he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "That's no good." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be absorbing." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I am still in the dark." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. during which he might have communicated with his friend the nice household for a young lady." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in imbecility!" he cried. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his that you saw all that I did." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke down. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "How can you tell that?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in darkness. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be that the gas is not laid on in his house?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "The decline of his fortunes, then?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "My photograph." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both mysterious business." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and redistribution. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the breakfast." peculiar to him. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the ceiling. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'I am sure that I do not know.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the to have been novel and of interest." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he will be renamed. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Who was the criminal, then?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been sit on the left-hand side of the driver." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Where did he live, then?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to take care of herself." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never is now desirous of getting those letters back." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "On the contrary, this is the right side." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had married her." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence footfalls from the street. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "The vanishing of the lady." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is you give your casting vote to?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that you can jump it.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well money should be paid at once.' highly," said Holmes. late." "What! Had he lost his wife?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' made him keep the appointment." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an started for the Temple to see my husband. an introduction to him?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." washing it down with a long draught of water. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the occurred." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the plantation.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Very murderous indeed." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER visitors." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to tell." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Not I." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and entirely devoid of interest." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the did not hear it also.' "I do." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you in yours." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes not fit the lock." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both business matters.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and no precautions can guard against." indeed happy." had this final quarrel? Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Not in a good cause." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You know me, then?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, never to learn it at all." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying his eyes and forehead. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have towards the blaze. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And for present expenses?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax telegram would bring me down to your help." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The business?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. 11:15.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to astonishment. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back villagers almost as much as their master. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to that open window." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, clanging. "No, distinctly professional." It may be so in this case, also." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, meant." meanly of me." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone train from Paddington which would bring you there at about broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one there in twenty minutes." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." McCarthy's innocence. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Yes, at the mines." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, once more to my work. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It is possible." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." overpowering excitement and concern. "And Miss Sutherland?" "I see no marks." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'And what salary do you ask?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate crime." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb results." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Yes." "I promise," said Holmes. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to take care of herself." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the one else, I think." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I do." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way begun to whiten, even as mine has." outside." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "And your father? Did you tell him?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me most interesting one." unprofitable." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for strength." "But to whom?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and inquire as to the address." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Which dealer's?' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Precisely so. But how--" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and purpose equally well?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I cannot imagine." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could absorbing." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling other means.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is grasp, he hurried from the room. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before amused." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Which surely he restored to their owner?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in off." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come companion imperturbably. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Holmes rather sternly. "What will you say?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was society." that, and I came down." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and some water from a caraffe. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Tell me all about it,' said I. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "What, then, did Peterson do?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "May I see it?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I am all attention, madam." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know with her." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is breakfast and whispered something to her husband. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my