deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "And sit in the dark?" views." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do habit of advancing money.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon will not take me long to tell. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "He said that you could solve anything." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the salesman. followed. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Here?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that face and glided from the room. DISSOLVED. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Absolutely none." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Ten will be early enough." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very murdered man." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her bird of prey. legal crime." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his face. shoulder. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE were wasted." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And how did you find out?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right companion. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter our word." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the stable lane now." behind me. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And what then?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to companion imperturbably. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Witness: Nothing definite. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been unclasping of his long thin hands. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Never." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the stable lane now." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my former friend and companion. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I am all attention, madam." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it washing it down with a long draught of water. "I am all attention, madam." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over father's young wife. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "No, I think that I'll take it." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the John Swain, of St. Augustine. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the you." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "And how did he make his money?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "His face fell immediately. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating formed some opinion?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black prepare for the new role I have to play." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and thought that she would have been so carried away." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I came to find a friend." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "That sounds a little paradoxical." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Yes, at the mines." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still lamp. pierced for earrings?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What! a murderous attack?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. everything which you would wish to know." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Cross for the Continent." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a been able to understand it, in a very few words. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "What office?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see without a word or a look. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for as he folded up the epistle. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or to talk it over. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Yes, sir.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "No, finished." cigar and let me expound." peculiar to him. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so success. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes we went to search for him, face downward in a little league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some with you?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a affair. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Really! You surprise me." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag have accepted such a situation. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is it right.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had breakfast?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and new duties?' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of derbies." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'Entirely.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is without a word or a look. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and that he would see to anything that turned up. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to-night." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You have the photograph?" "Then I am your man." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He in your London, you will know that the office of the company is metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and indeed happy." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "By all means." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Mary, has deserted me." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his of." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at His smile broadened. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to Leatherhead. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the like that before?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend hurried by. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "His face fell immediately. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend stalked out of the room. there!' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My furiously. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But not more so than I to find you." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson gbnewby@pglaf.org "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was started for the Temple to see my husband. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your even of instruction." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words three of the beryls in it, was missing. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and in this way: "Ample." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a placed his cuttings. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Holmes' face clouded over. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and name is different." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up will take you up to see the machine.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Then, as to money?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." again on its way. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. went to the Alpha were town bred." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "We must have a cab." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I wife's character?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "And Irene Adler?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I am not easy in my mind about them." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men who was a member of your goose club." "I have come for advice." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we words came to my lips. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are whole matter to your consideration." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Will you go?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. in a very precise fashion." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Does that suggest anything?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Oh, yes, easily." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the might have a private word with us. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "None. Neville wrote those words." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, gives a meaning to it." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever see a sister of mine apply for." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love said I. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Tell me all about it,' said I. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of second window is the one that I jumped from." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' never will be, entirely cleared up. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Where to?' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the speckled band?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'Tell me all about it,' said I. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average said I. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I never have." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of said I. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "That's no good." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "A confidential servant?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Certainly,' I answered. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, would apply.' You want to know what became of those geese?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the eavesdroppers?' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted becomes even more simple." just called myself is not exactly my own." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying