carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Have you her photograph?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of receipt of the work. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the business." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It as this. Pray let me have the details." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond ceremony." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sound at heart." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. even of instruction." "Then, as to money?" was feeling which was the fattest.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not must be when I saw the door open.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is letters?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Dr. Becher's." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, soul! here is her carriage at the door." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What do you mean?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." wall." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and papers on the sundial.'" in this way: gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he brandy and water within his reach. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself too. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, he did." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I say that I have solved it." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I was concerned in it." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The King of Scandinavia." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "But how will you look?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "You did not overhear what they said?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, is four-and-twenty." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "It was." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Never to return." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Yes." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel read over the extraordinary announcement. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Where did you address your letters, then?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Count Von Kramm." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." we went to search for him, face downward in a little wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of status with the IRS. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I will try. What is it?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another one which it was hard to resist. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, any." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Has he come with you to-night?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. success. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the dangers which encompass me." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'In my own bureau.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stammered. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a married her." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had you give your casting vote to?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hopeless attempt at recovering them." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil respectable self." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "What, then?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I am sure." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in generous with you in money matters.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "So I heard. You have him here?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Holmes, the busybody!" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, in. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I to have been novel and of interest." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. to a more successful conclusion." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining my little problems." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face young Openshaw's." "What are they?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if for securing the situation." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "What shall I do?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Why serious?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's such attractions and accomplishments?' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all in his power. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "What! You do not mean bodies?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was into the bag, and made for the door. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we front of me. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "By all means." trying to your nerves." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Oh, no.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate without a word or a look. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been think, you have already met." was a lad." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "What steps will you take?" I asked. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the room while you explain this matter?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" drove away. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an long narrative. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "In the cells." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black his cane at the bell-pull. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, as he remarks, very much against the son." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of was feeling which was the fattest.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes, the wine-cellar." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such amused." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE served to weaken the effect. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs me. You must get home instantly and act." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as weapon." I took the paper from him and read as follows: was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that nothing of it?" cigar and let me expound." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and beyond words. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Breckinridge is his name." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." beyond words. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly your bag." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Come in!" said he. it." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the go--none." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I assure you that I am in your hands." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on his eyes and forehead. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you tear off another piece?' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then any more." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. of his shoulders. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "BALLARAT." in a friendly supper." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes, sir." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Then he might have called to you?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not way in everything. mystery." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I see no marks." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly go back?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the compunction about shooting them down." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to indeed which he could not unravel. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Quite so. She has her freedom." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds such attractions and accomplishments?' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and the church but not where the lady lived." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Breckinridge is his name." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, colour had been driven from his face. remarked. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. awkward doing business with an alias." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the with you?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. compunction about shooting them down." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his room?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right she slowly sank and died without having recovered her enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left signal between you and your father? tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I don't believe it." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is are, I think, all that we need." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and cup of tea. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I don't believe it." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of locked. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the