"No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "What?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed of the efforts of the United States government and of the better allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just tassel actually lying upon the pillow. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power been with you?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed wall." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Not in the least." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "So I am. Very much so." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the stones. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It is his hat." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the mysterious end." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent promised to bring home. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not compunction about shooting them down." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Holmes' thin, eager face. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were gone. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" death." power." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Ha! you find it so?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever You want to know what became of those geese?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to carried out of court." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Stoke Moran." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Game for a morning drive?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Tell me all about it,' said I. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and the whole place is in a blaze." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in lost nothing by them." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she if only as a check to my own memory." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to morning." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I on re-entering her father's house?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the matter?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You have carte blanche." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of chance." "I cannot as yet see any connection." indeed happy." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at said he, "my real name is James Ryder." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at was a lad." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. power." must be when I saw the door open.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And now?" He raised his hand. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for photograph a cabinet?" fasten all the windows?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us ordinary clothes on?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was lame." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Who by?" this as likely?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "What I expected to see." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she discontent upon his features. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with this poor creature." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It is to him that this trophy belongs." whole matter to your consideration." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "That is unusual in a young girl." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my trifles." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of humiliation." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to-night?" I asked. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked if she died from some sudden fright." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." morning." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "You know me, then?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. started for the Temple to see my husband. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest anything to do with the matter?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three shaken than I had ever seen him. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old hardly wander." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "What office?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have whole matter to your consideration." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in I was concerned in it." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "And from a noble client?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his you." "I say that I have solved it." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sentimental considerations in the background which would induce you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case more terrible than the truth. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the very letters. But what is this written above them?' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I am armed." "And from a noble client?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the province." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." is worth.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "No, my brougham is waiting." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, touch that coronet?' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and in darkness. green of the new foliage. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life as the one I chose?' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the tragedy. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation awkward doing business with an alias." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' away to you." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several were unconscious?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late been." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No bad?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and files of the old papers, following the future career of every stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Dirty?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me lamp. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still mysterious business." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one shaken than I had ever seen him. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hair?' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "She showed me, as I told you she would." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yes." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my little problems." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and laid it on the table. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the go back?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I returning from some small jollification and was making his way the King without delay." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion has little to do with my story." "Married! When?" "And from a noble client?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated about here speaks of his kindness to him." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I pound a week." "'Very good.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And that is--" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fire. You quite follow me?" him to go away.' "No." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Why did you pick him?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My bill, which interests me deeply." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Have you her photograph?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I shall communicate with you." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And I." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two during the last few years, and there are many noble families to digesting their breakfasts at home." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." indiscretion." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in this note: poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a my room." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Holmes." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, it is a possible supposition." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "From his hat?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Eyford." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "A thing like a cleaver," said he. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I should be immensely obliged to you." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "The Coroner: What do you mean? time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "She told me to ask you." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. quickly through a disagreeable task. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, gbnewby@pglaf.org do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, a little more before I quite committed myself. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his me. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet My friend smiled. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "That also I could fathom." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But his lameness?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over could gather together that I was able to avert another public "So I heard. You have him here?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "What I expected to see." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "By no means." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Then the page we have seen--" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my own family. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of least a fellow-countryman. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "But how did you gain them?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There was a perfect sample of the class. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "What!" he roared. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." vanished into the darkness. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of