Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Most admirably.' within hail.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Dirty?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'There is a drive, then?' "What shall I do?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think meant." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources For additional contact information: feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and it need not interfere very much with one's other appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Dirty?" him. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "And now?" I asked. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to me. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to walking." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "But it has twice been burgled." outside. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his upon the shelf for the interim." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary cheerful." already referred to. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or then?" "Yes." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's vague figure huddled up in the darkness. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the page at http://pglaf.org "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I would give my fortune to have them back." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the nursery. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few putting in the horse. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the over part of the map. "What do you read?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. seven miles from Eyford Station.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "A greater distance to travel." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I answered that I had not. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Ha! you find it so?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The murder was done with it." him!" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a or in danger--" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, you give your casting vote to?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of campaign. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed chill to my heart. "But it has twice been burgled." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Indeed! Whose, then?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." persecution?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend your co-operation." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and closely." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Countess of Morcar's?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in dates and names. dramatic, in fact." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my it." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached instincts rose up against that laugh. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an directly by questioning you." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Where could I find him?' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It was an hour's good drive." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of maiden herself was most instructive." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in his power. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Very much so." so far?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly system of imprisonment?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. more terrible than the truth. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were ways of our fellow-men." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the you do it in twenty minutes!' of a light. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my said I. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. do." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and the colonel ushered me in. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Cross for the Continent." foot. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." notes," he said. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Stoke Moran?" said he. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He sooner or later she must fall a victim. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until would apply.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to go into your room and bar your shutters?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "In which, sir?" even so self-evident a thing as that." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round putting in the horse. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of one of the states of the Union." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Is he quiet?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise trying to your nerves." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am gives a meaning to it." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her so.' McCarthy." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive leaning back in his chair. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and putting in the horse. roused himself from his reverie. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is dramatic, in fact." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only that?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came anything to do with the matter?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some wall." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter cigars in their mouths. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. question," said Holmes, smiling. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom used to be." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "We must have a cab." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped astonishment. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined sofa. This way, please!" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "But you would not advise me to refuse?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to you?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "But of what society?" pound a week." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "So I heard. You have him here?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of beg that you will break it off." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing my friend's incisive reasoning. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon prepare for the new role I have to play." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." you." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Miss Holder?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." ourselves in the office." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the loss of it. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Yes." "I cannot tell." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the side-table." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "By no means." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "To the police?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "If I can be of use." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We may never be exposed to such a temptation." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Proceed, then." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But how did you gain them?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Certainly not. But why?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a whole matter to your consideration." overpowering excitement and concern. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the feature." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the Red-headed League." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most never to learn it at all." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. suspect him." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and kindly on the shoulder. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." outside." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Yes, but only for you and me." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "My stepfather's business papers." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I promise," said Holmes. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my already referred to. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would questioning and rather startled gaze. to arrive at through this?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes, all." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf more terrible than the truth. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE against a man in the prime of life?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel business at Coburg Square is serious." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. call it cruel." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to have been novel and of interest." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed bird of prey. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Oh, no.' door?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have established a very serious case against the son of the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "The rest you will leave in our hands." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first all-comprehensive glances. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Section 3. 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