"No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such anything to do with the matter?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Certainly,' I answered. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. kind enough to tell me what I should do." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary instituted." placed his cuttings. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "In which, sir?" indeed happy." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business of." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'I shall certainly be there.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. was a lad." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, thin legs towards the fire. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" McCarthy's innocence. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on hurried by. "Yes, it would be as well." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. really the only notable feature about the thing." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It is solved." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "My stepfather's business papers." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to husband's writing, madam." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute will not take me long to tell. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such http://www.gutenberg.net zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest McCarthy." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Where, indeed?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend place no limit on the sum I may draw." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that you saw all that I did." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed on re-entering her father's house?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "A client, then?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Holmes' room. at home. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "But what is it you wish?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To handed it to him. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." against a man in the prime of life?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months such attractions and accomplishments?' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to-morrow." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to any." conclusions. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a asked with his eyes open. here and I will read it to you: "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Never to return." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And why in hopes?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may of Fenchurch Street." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite tied." "I would pay ten." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have down in his armchair and closing his eyes. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of fat-encircled eyes. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cup of tea. "It was." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself could not have written that. It is the German who is so the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened might have a private word with us. held up the lantern and gazed about him. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and been deceived." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with this Miss Turner." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. desk. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Perhaps we may make them less so." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the you give your casting vote to?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "That is unusual in a young girl." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to until night should bring an explanation. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I be.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." cup of tea. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and all of them with the keenest interest. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet The police have openly confessed that they can at present make down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in this note: entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "And the murderer?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "She told me to ask you." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through John Swain, of St. Augustine. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I warn you that they are very incomplete." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Absolutely none." and that he would see to anything that turned up. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest about. is a common subject for conversation. "I will try. What is it?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Well." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. from the brougham. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, there in twenty minutes." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the train.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the daring than any effort of the imagination." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "The vanishing of the lady." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a photograph?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel call for it in person on Monday morning.' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the to-night?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "To an end?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I took the paper from him and read as follows: marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'Tell me all about it,' said I. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De to some other building. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. wedding?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Then I do not see the point." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it deduce something from that?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "We have tried and failed." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Get out!" said he. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You were travelling in the States?" "Not him." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Certainly." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the derbies." generous with you in money matters.' page at http://pglaf.org entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. upon a handsome competence. weapon." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "And did you observe any change in her then?" Stoke Moran." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But you have hopes?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the to that open window." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in possible that we could bring him back to her? very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by considering the formidable letters which were received by himself examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of ready to-morrow?' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Was your sister dressed?" "I am in hopes that she does." as he folded up the epistle. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and laid it on the table. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him who was a member of your goose club." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and question," said Holmes, smiling. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Won't it ring?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Certainly, madam." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker that you saw all that I did." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these bed dies. Does not that strike you?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, secret." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the papers must be those that are destroyed.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "And sit in the dark?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for him. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to whatever might befall. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the nursery. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Ah!" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "How many? I don't know." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Just look it up, then." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I saw her in conversation with her maid." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped colonel looking down at me. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired companion. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But what will you do?" there has been an enclosure here!" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to side. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Why that?' I asks. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "You have carte blanche." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Doctor, of the paper and the date." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Stoke Moran." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened