This is what he says: His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I came to find a friend." "But your client--" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my spare." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil skylight. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But how will you look?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is as he remarks, very much against the son." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and it." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual situation." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped felt?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young look dissatisfied." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Then I shall certainly come." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Entirely." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I cannot think." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," legal crime." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from gives a meaning to it." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my them present such singular features as the strange train of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may never will be, entirely cleared up. correct than the official force." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Not him." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst south, for the country is more deserted there." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the station." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Cross for the Continent." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There arrangements." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he already been minutely examined." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction wedding?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence that I can to serve you." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in cigars in the box." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our are, and they are waiting for us." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little himself to tell his story. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis one else, I think." "Nearly eleven." his fortune, and I went back to pa. straightened it out again. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. eavesdroppers?' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an pound a week." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through absolutely follow my advice in every respect." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And sit in the dark?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "By no means." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea evidence," I remarked. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point sound at heart." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to be there in time for your coming." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to shall not find me ungrateful." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And your mother is alive?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Always." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I will, Miss Turner." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "We must sit without light. He would see it through the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner money should be paid at once.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, nothing of it?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And now?" I asked. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my cup of tea. "At the wedding breakfast." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" gbnewby@pglaf.org Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you where she found matters as described by the last witness. do.' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then how many are there?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after quick march!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not I. maid will bring up your coffee." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips this man was intellectual?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Very truly yours, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." know all about it," he snarled. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each him to be an active member of the medical profession." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. chambers. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a residence of the great financier. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the hardly wander." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in this way: woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a happened." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It is solved." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat are, I think, all that we need." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that before taking the final step I should like to submit the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" in the port of London." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which depend upon your compliance." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but it." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ordinary clothes on?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited conversation I have gathered that they have been married about washing it down with a long draught of water. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "You have a clue?" been with you?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You forget that I know nothing about it." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had my room." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I should wish to." promised to bring home. 'please.'" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's train from Paddington which would bring you there at about long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Have you her photograph?" "That's no good." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "How many? I don't know." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Holmes. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I cannot imagine." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But how?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea paper in the air. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fire. You quite follow me?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has down from London to inquire more deeply into it." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "No, I think that I'll take it." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a relief. plantation.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey companion imperturbably. business came to an end." "And I to find an enemy." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the brandy and water within his reach. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But it has twice been burgled." held up the lantern and gazed about him. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from locked." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this indeed which he could not unravel. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which is so. I know all about McCarthy." and I shall be with you presently." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." your troubles." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and his face which made him a very different person to the round, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them rose-bushes. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Munro.' meant." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "But how did you gain them?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with intimate personal affairs in this public manner." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged along the entire front of the house, with three long windows coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence mysterious business." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes true." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Count Von Kramm." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows good-night and bustled off upon her way. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his bears upon the case?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face have an American origin." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. hand, madam?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the once more. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker child?' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and have this put in the evening papers." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It companion. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to of this gang." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "That is not always so easy." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Did you become engaged then?" and no precautions can guard against." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear a good hundred miles off by now." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came frequently gained my first real insight into the character of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to My friend smiled. ready to-morrow?' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind