"You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward humiliation." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm works. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men will not take me long to tell. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Will you go?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "It is solved." "An enemy?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, McCarthy." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate works. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. as this. Pray let me have the details." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Pool. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their coroner's jury." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which figure." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "No good news?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out me. You must get home instantly and act." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I house for five minutes.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Seven!" I answered. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What steps will you take?" I asked. Mrs. Toller serenely. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, village inn over there?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It missed him, then?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Where, indeed?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Come in!" said he. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Pray do so." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "It came here." "Well, some hundreds of times." "And when will you call?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the helping a boy to put up the shutters. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in secret." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a chance." would apply.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the Red-headed League." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled soul! here is her carriage at the door." of them has the shutters up.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Holmes' face clouded over. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms how narrow had been my escape. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. London for the present?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps in this way: trifles." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial bird I ate is country bred." London for the present?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a locked. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "No bad?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well in. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I promise," said Holmes. "I am still in the dark." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" happened." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as characteristics, but those are the more obvious." to that open window." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I say that I have solved it." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do detained." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to you." upon the sideboard." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw strength of mind to control. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have such attractions and accomplishments?' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Ten will be early enough." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the were new raised from a basin. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Was your sister dressed?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the we went to search for him, face downward in a little sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Certainly,' I answered. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote conversation I have gathered that they have been married about just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" leaning back in his chair. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "But how?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Will you bet, then?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore said he. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No bad?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, in this note: other lovers by making love himself." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "And is that all?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this with you alone." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Oh, fresh and glossy." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I should like to see him very much." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That been able to understand it, in a very few words. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Yes, sir.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Stoke Moran?" said he. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Then how many are there?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched society." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Deserted you?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you do it in twenty minutes!' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which whether it answered to the description of any of their best detective that ever lived. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Why that?' I asks. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to chamber." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain done what I asked you, Jones?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite never will be, entirely cleared up. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed how narrow had been my escape. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." gentleman's clothes. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You think that he is dead?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "But she could not love him." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and nothing with him." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have never to learn it at all." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon annoyance, but no jest. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yes." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." humiliation." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet horse could go." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded woman." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was a lad." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. it means?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'As governess?' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and interests were the same as his." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I open." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still touch that coronet?' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I should wish to." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." on in his house." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "No more words. Get out!" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable upon an income of about 60 pounds." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction even of instruction." man. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. you understand?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and my secret was safe in his possession. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The it with his own hands." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the Red-headed League." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old how narrow had been my escape. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What then?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It's nothing of the kind." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an when you have done it." ran thus: "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "How did you deduce the select?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What will you say?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my whereabouts. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she his fortune, and I went back to pa. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, so.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, of them has the shutters up.' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Texas, I think." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "No, I am descending." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had up this clue while it is still hot." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments lumber-room." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in is acting for the best. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." his eyes and forehead. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "But it has twice been burgled." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Where to?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a matter." peculiar to him. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Eh? What was that?" to-night." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, do.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "No." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went helping a boy to put up the shutters. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed possible that we could bring him back to her? sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no just ask you whether you had heard it.' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly McCarthy's innocence. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?"