"I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened ventilator." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." any more." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And what did you see?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." voice. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked character. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Pray do so." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations his eyes and forehead. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and the colonel ushered me in. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I cannot imagine." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "What! a murderous attack?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" but preventing her from injuring another. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Never,' said I. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the touch that coronet?' one of the states of the Union." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or it." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite our word." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Was he the only applicant?" "The murder was done with it." "Certainly, madam." "You are all wrong." "That you are never beaten." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It's nothing of the kind." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "His face fell immediately. carpenter." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." crowd. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, fresh and glossy." keep the flames under. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was stammered. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I carpenter." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly maiden herself was most instructive." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more interested in these little problems, and since you are good "That is unusual in a young girl." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." matter." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in me where it went to?" "How can you tell that?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I see many objections to any such theory." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I will not look." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Well, but China?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wall." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "What shall I do?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "What I expected to see." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "And why?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "A call for help, you thought?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "About a month then." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I am all attention, madam." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for signal between you and your father? teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from too. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. tear off another piece?' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any His smile broadened. point in the dark hollow of his hand. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in soul! here is her carriage at the door." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his do.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard tell them apart.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." more terrible than the truth. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a felt?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, certainly." Holmes. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as was not a bird to be seen there. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "That you are never beaten." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I are, and they are waiting for us." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Will you go?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting lost his Christmas dinner." enter into my head. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the where we are going." "The King of Scandinavia." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "We were both in the photograph." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of despaired of." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. next day. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Well, some hundreds of times." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what papers on the sundial.'" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke impression behind it as though a window had gently closed direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" them, and came down just as you departed. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk just ask you whether you had heard it.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "How did he come?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might License. You must require such a user to return or "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the direction." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed get the tickets." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Then I do not see the point." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front anything to do with the matter?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a off." is," said he presently: return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "My dear Holmes!" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I see no marks." Arthur Conan Doyle distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I say that I have solved it." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You did not overhear what they said?" this Miss Turner." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," companion imperturbably. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands this as likely?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But you have hopes?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat one of them." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. you." "And now?" He raised his hand. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day a very grave face. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of the vacancies.' remarked. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain written, and locked the door of the office after me. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with could not have written that. It is the German who is so address. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "It is possible." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the delighted to hear it," he said. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late gone. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Yes, I promise.' them?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "But it has twice been burgled." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head cup of tea. coat-tails." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Cross for the Continent." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was strong reason behind." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "And leave your case unfinished?" him nearly every evening." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was your own bird, so if you wish--" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and capable of preserving a secret.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned most interesting one." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "She showed me, as I told you she would." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, he did." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "A confidential servant?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms purpose of examination. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Very much so." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring help us in this matter." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Was he the only applicant?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered later, upon the night of May 2nd." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to gone. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a woven round him. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Then I can wait in the next room." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the off." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you nonsense.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "To the police?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect friends, not even his own brother. your billet.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in my room." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Seven!" I answered. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that him!" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "What steps will you take?" I asked. persecution?" "I beg pardon." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is again." help us in this matter." me upon any point which I do not make clear." narrative." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he directors, with the result that you have seen." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already any." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic strong reason behind." the Assizes."