Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "In heaven's name, what for?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the bottom.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Yes." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed me." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can pressing in one house as in another. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was them present such singular features as the strange train of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "The best possible." "Yes." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. orange pips. "Holmes, the busybody!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to there is a decided draught." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." politicians who had been sent down from the North. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. was shining brightly. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Not social, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "At the wedding breakfast." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "No." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to occurred." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one allusion to a rat. chance." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "If so, much may have happened between." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before galvanised. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What chance at all." guilty parties." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "No good news?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, your Highness to the police-station?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Yes, the wine-cellar." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Watson," he said cordially. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' here and I will read it to you: and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Then I am your man." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of visitors." "Yes, it would be as well." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to you." said I. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or you." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive introspective fashion. your bag." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'Entirely.' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I am not easy in my mind about them." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a have accepted such a situation. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he bird of prey. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible said Mr. Holder. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." me. You must get home instantly and act." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at straightened it out again. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." side. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But how will you look?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have was lame." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will case before our client came into the room." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the dangers which encompass me." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. before, for it was considerably after midnight. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste skylight. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the morning and make my own way in the world.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy ashen face. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" bachelor.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as with some details as to your case." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "None. Neville wrote those words." "And sit in the dark?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. you?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up followed. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I cannot as yet see any connection." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement you." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would new duties?' passage and a tap at the door. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to some other building. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the then?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two could go. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I see no marks." how narrow had been my escape. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "You think so, too?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my me where it went to?" "That's no good." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Munro.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "The rest you will leave in our hands." point in the dark hollow of his hand. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Quite so." said I. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I will, Miss Turner." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced triumphant cloud from his cigarette. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "She will not sell." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to main points of my analysis." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Why? What do you mean?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I think that it is very probable." friend's singular character. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. again, where I was soon asleep. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that assist you in forming an opinion." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest four million human beings all jostling each other within the "He is dead," cried several voices. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, carriage. It was a chestnut." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the one else, I think." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been against a man in the prime of life?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. has little to do with my story." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Project Gutenberg-tm works. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "We must have a cab." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as had this final quarrel? mysterious end." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "No sign of it?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Mary, has deserted me." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "And who is her maid?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect gentleman's clothes. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Pray continue your narrative." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' asked with his eyes open. "I would give my fortune to have them back." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And you don't know his address?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to a more successful conclusion." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two it with his own hands." "That you are never beaten." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most yards of it?' weighed down with some great anxiety. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have some terrible trap for her." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am rose-bushes. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You anything to a woman, for she would have her way." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' been with you?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil lids now and glanced across at his visitor. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss some terrible trap for her." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Sutherland. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It surprised me." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had together. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." in a very precise fashion." "Witness: I must still refuse. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Indeed! Whose, then?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" happened." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old