"Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sound at heart." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And now?" I asked. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand security.' Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Holmes, the busybody!" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Yes, sir." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No, distinctly professional." husband's writing, madam." to-night." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably occurred." "And you thought he was pulled back?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very at home. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Young McCarthy must be got off, however." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Nothing." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Mary, has deserted me." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a round with crates and massive boxes. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the door?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Certainly." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in even so self-evident a thing as that." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, distinguish the words: air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as he bowed and left the room without another word. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Stoke Moran?" said he. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in wife's character?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "A client, then?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "He slept on the premises." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after lost nothing by them." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. giving me time to thank him. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping had no one to advise her at such a crisis." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had off." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." where we are going." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the south-west, I see." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the warnings." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty village inn over there?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but front of the hall door has given its name to the place. one of the states of the Union." get the tickets." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing feature." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It is solved." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "And leave your case unfinished?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "May I see it?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, sake, don't!" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus village inn over there?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "So I am. Very much so." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of husband's writing, madam." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "What!" he roared. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. something of him before." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are are windows in it, of course?" "You are hungry," I remarked. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of should be so warm over such a trifle." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he his knees, staring into the fire. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the drove away. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, but China?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their breakfast." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It is possible." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "No, finished." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he business?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of receipt of the work. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now families. Now for the facts. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the bottom.' "I see no marks." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the south-west, I see." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Certainly, madam." wife's character?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the get her out of the way." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Not social, then?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I don't believe it." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "In which, sir?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire unkempt, staring out at me. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the so-precious time, but come!' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "He slept on the premises." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No legal papers or certificates?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Stolen." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Certainly not. But why?' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Doctor, of the paper and the date." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Leadenhall Street--and--" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. there when the Rucastles went away." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with peculiar to him. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I. it. know what is wrong with it.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it felt the room to be a little close.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the so-precious time, but come!' carriage. It was a chestnut." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not is entirely a question of barometric pressure." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the very letters. But what is this written above them?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which strong reason behind." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this shall use the carriage to-night." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "There are none." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go bare slabs of marble. "What then?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole bill, which interests me deeply." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to own family. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. forecastle of an emigrant ship. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help examine." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to corner of the building. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my main points of my analysis." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Come in!" said he. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to change my dress. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt most interesting one." leaning back in his chair. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the behind me. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of call you and give you the chance." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to sound at heart." matter." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Nothing?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I said I. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the date of his supposed suicide." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. cigar and let me expound." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring experiences." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of gentleman's clothes. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and used to be." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the stable lane now." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I was afraid that you were engaged." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which said he. to you." round and wave him away like that.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their married her." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great together. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making there when the Rucastles went away." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to future lives." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, just called myself is not exactly my own." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was