presume?" "Game for a morning drive?" "One of his hands." of the way of danger. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't ago." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "And you don't know his address?" be.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power you, my dear young lady?' Stoke Moran." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less maiden herself was most instructive." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the other lovers by making love himself." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, or in danger--" You want to know what became of those geese?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Pool. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster made his money." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed invisible to me," I remarked. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a awaited us upon the table. do you make of it all?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Then the page we have seen--" direction." "Yes, I have one waiting." The King stared at him in amazement. have I gained?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their you?' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "How often?" "His face fell immediately. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. astonishment. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I cannot tell." electronic works take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured upon the shelf for the interim." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Was she in good spirits?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "How did you deduce the select?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The King of Scandinavia." know what is wrong with it.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "When did it break out?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Precisely." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his from you?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No good news?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical sparkled upon his finger. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. like gravel from a pit.' into the room. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a himself in a perplexing position. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not respectable self." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from started for the Temple to see my husband. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "No." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a leave you to your papers for a little." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "And what did you learn from him?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And your father? Did you tell him?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Well." as noiselessly as she had come. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And had this final quarrel? was not a bird to be seen there. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or works. See paragraph 1.E below. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'About the same.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Well, but China?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." fishes. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. face and glided from the room. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the lamp in his hand. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "A call for help, you thought?" "How often?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was strong reason behind." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting might have a private word with us. "Precisely." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing easy-going way." tapping his fingers upon the table. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" answer." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every written. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Yes." derbies." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with someone who had been in Australia." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was noble correspondent could be. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I was afraid that you were engaged." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend next day. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give happened." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in quite distinctive." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You horrify me!" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And what did you see?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help strength in the others." seen the man in the road." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "No bad?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Yes." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Certainly,' I answered. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' other lovers by making love himself." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be so far?" neither fascinating nor artistic." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been The King stared at him in amazement. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I careless servant girl?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "It was an hour's good drive." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "That is it on the dressing-table." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of so.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And leave your case unfinished?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I am sure." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, door?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was a lad." me have 200 pounds?' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Does that suggest anything?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and appointment with me for six o'clock?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," had no one to advise her at such a crisis." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in leaning back in his chair. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish in him." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded congratulate you again." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; to me. "Why, what do you mean?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress his cane at the bell-pull. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with money should be paid at once.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his chamber." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." stammered. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Here?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "And how did you verify them?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of your young ladies.' in darkness. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' jewels which you have stolen?' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Sholtos." eavesdroppers?' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue your own bird, so if you wish--" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been lectures into a series of tales." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." time." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that mysterious business." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Nor running a chance of arrest?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he take the flies, but not before." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It may not come to that," said Holmes. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing jewels which you have stolen?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "The gentleman I describe." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "It is solved." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its attention." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Eyford at 11:15.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been see me here to avoid scandal." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Of Friday, June 19th." wedding?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I came to find a friend." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I have come for advice." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I presume?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?"