"I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Where, then?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the undoubtedly my uncle's." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all get the tickets." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my to-night?" I asked. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." my friend's incisive reasoning. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise your room." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several lamp in his hand. "'I am sure if I had known--' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Certainly." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until ill-usage at the hands of fortune. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I do." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "It is solved." "There is the writing." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Always." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement meant it for the best. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And from a noble client?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. indiscretion." garden below. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Is he quiet?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to beyond words. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Witness: I must still refuse. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my noting anything else of interest. man. I know him from the photograph." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "And I." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Game for a morning drive?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner business." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and have been better. It is all right." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Have you it here?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But of what society?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "The rest you will leave in our hands." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hereditary King of Bohemia." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and she to prove their authenticity?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this them?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Married! When?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man entirely lost his self-respect." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I tension within him. "And what then?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Never,' said I. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the villagers almost as much as their master. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What are they?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "My private note-paper." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project it." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for mystery may be cleared along those lines." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Holmes, the busybody!" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this photograph?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I already been minutely examined." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Well?" cheerful." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from during the last few years, and there are many noble families to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "But not more so than I to find you." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and second window is the one that I jumped from." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never here." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of is," said he presently: 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking this man was intellectual?" salesman. infinite languor in his face. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Certainly." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to detective. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use meant." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on emerged. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for detective. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you." a little more before I quite committed myself. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "How did that help you?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring as this. Pray let me have the details." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he never came back." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "No bad?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and take the flies, but not before." to-night." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "The landlord of the Alpha." handed it to him. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three our word." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he said I. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is both be extremely obliged.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, memory. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It is half-past ten now." ventilator." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three congenial hunt. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I think that it is very probable." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to opened the door, and slipped through. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "No." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Yes, he did." "What office?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey strength in the others." new duties?' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was that?' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Ah!" into the room. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. memory. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to talk it over. Miss Holder?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my drawing your inferences." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical chance." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is true that I have been generally successful." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful that he has suffered." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window strength." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I should like to see him very much." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When you in your example." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door new acquaintance to Baker Street. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just there was no need for father to know." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am to be neutral?" "I will do it." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Have you good authority for what you say?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs young Openshaw's." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to money should be paid at once.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "My own seal." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, a good hundred miles off by now." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my voice. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "In answer to an advertisement." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I beg pardon." brandy and water within his reach. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hopeless attempt at recovering them." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Yes, but only for you and me." "It must be recovered." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Imitated." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was a lad." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an