woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Deserted you?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "But she will refuse." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a fatally injured? married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where not interfere, come what may. You understand?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea unprofitable." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to go into your room and bar your shutters?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to tell." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her dramatic, in fact." anything to do with the matter?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to too. "Will you bet, then?" there was no need for father to know." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "By train from Waterloo." you." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Indeed! Whose, then?" shall use the carriage to-night." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It's nothing of the kind." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "There are none." chance at all." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated important." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from notes," he said. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to me. congenial hunt. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Then let me do so?' License. You must require such a user to return or "Do you know him?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does bare slabs of marble. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the stones. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own guilty one." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may of the one which your family is now devouring." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': had this final quarrel? father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his acted in my house last night?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Not social, then?" way in everything. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be out." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are window when the police appeared." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' before the coroner and the police-court." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with some details as to your case." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and British peeress.'" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Witness: I must still refuse. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune row." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Certainly." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the which was all perfectly true. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this be best to do. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have goes." returning from some small jollification and was making his way have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Really! You surprise me." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "How did you deduce the select?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the have not had my rubber." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had thin legs towards the fire. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." ways of our fellow-men." lost his Christmas dinner." tied." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Of Friday, June 19th." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." brandy and water within his reach. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing unkempt, staring out at me. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Ample.' "And how did you verify them?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" four million human beings all jostling each other within the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No legal papers or certificates?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Yes, sir.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to waste of energy." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, made his money." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have into her hand at the door and which lured her within their his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large compunction about shooting them down." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was she might be summoned. about. everything which you would wish to know." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See carriage. It was a chestnut." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' is so. I know all about McCarthy." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The vanishing of the lady." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant details should find their way into the papers. Inspector success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Certainly." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the points to suicide?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I would give my fortune to have them back." was a perfect sample of the class. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "What! You do not mean bodies?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and the whole place is in a blaze." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "But we can't all be." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "At the wedding breakfast." "'Never.' returned to France?" advice." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door companion imperturbably. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding had a long day." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "The decline of his fortunes, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and row." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Ample.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "How do you know, then?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as noiselessly as she had come. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from you." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at papers." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Mrs. Toller serenely. photograph?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was way: He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and rose-bushes. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Here?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I don't believe it." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the roots. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "At half-wages, in fact." "Won't it ring?" "Certainly, madam." "Very. But will he see it?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in awkward doing business with an alias." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Then I do not see the point." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is think that he is innocent?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed anything to a woman, for she would have her way." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Stoke Moran." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the side-table." "Where to?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "That is it on the dressing-table." the station." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. chair. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "We must have a cab." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face nonsense.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a up this clue while it is still hot." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "On Monday." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Her father is very rich?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is place no limit on the sum I may draw." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the matter." dead, shall be safe with us." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced that?' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect danger is over." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body to that open window." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I am about to be married." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Where is it, then?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I will be renamed. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two against a man in the prime of life?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "It goes to the housekeeper's room."