she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Holmes." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "When did she vanish, then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' page at http://pglaf.org my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' happened." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Witness: I must still refuse. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to will take you up to see the machine.' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in shall not find me ungrateful." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the or in danger--" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his relief. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a acted in my house last night?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No, I had a dozen." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The best possible." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but right! Sit down and let us talk it over." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "That was it, sir." gives a meaning to it." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked conversation I have gathered that they have been married about description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." friends, not even his own brother. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "So I heard. You have him here?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Stoke Moran." him and tried to hold him back. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "It is true that I have been generally successful." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You have carte blanche." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "What are they?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that I am arrested." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms will find little credit to be gained out of this case." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Precisely." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And how did you find out?" "And Irene Adler?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hard-headed British jury." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. one of them." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. meant it for the best. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It came here." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter you in your example." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for delighted to hear it," he said. "I am still in the dark." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their The King stared at him in amazement. absorbing." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his out of this horrible affair." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a help us in this matter." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." your room." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has your bag." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I was afraid that you were engaged." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Was she in good spirits?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But what harm can there be in that?" "You know me, then?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged writers could invent nothing more crude." crime. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms photograph?" feature." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe it." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was purpose of examination. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize here and I will read it to you: "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long heavy and sharp instrument." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Come in!" said he. "None." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted trifles." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to a light-house. tied." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried points in connection with it which never have been, and probably pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the me." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own it with his own hands." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see signal between you and your father? "VIOLET HUNTER." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. have not had my rubber." "Yes, all." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, clanging. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. chill to my heart. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'About the same.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What is it, then--a fire?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away looking up at the numbers of the houses." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll man. I know him from the photograph." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Does that suggest anything?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through bird of prey. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "But what is it you wish?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion could not have written that. It is the German who is so The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and it need not interfere very much with one's other quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most signal between you and your father? "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened charged with?" "Upon what point?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to miss it." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to arrive at through this?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I shall communicate with you." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without in his power. is four-and-twenty." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day distinguish the words: "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the existence." "How did you trace it, then?" "When did it break out?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all It may be so in this case, also." 'please.'" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I even so self-evident a thing as that." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "He is still with you, I presume?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Dirty?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he companion imperturbably. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I cannot imagine." drawing your inferences." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without prison!" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I fasten all the windows?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your derbies." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even call you and give you the chance." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You have a clue?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the morning." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob little trying to do so much typewriting?" "No good news?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very will be renamed. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my companion. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together which our visitor detailed to us. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Murdered?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his away into the river." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Thank you. And your address?" "Nearly eleven." the station." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is your only hope of safety." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'Stolen!' he cried. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "And the murderer?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "If I can be of use." new acquaintance to Baker Street. nights." there in twenty minutes." "The best possible." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "No bad?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "To ruin me." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The look upon these things in a different way." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "10th. John Swain cleared. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a III. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to surprise her." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and laid it on the table. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in depend upon your compliance." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he easy-going way." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Perhaps I have." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Yes, it was gone.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had criminal. We have already had experience of such." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "No." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes is so. I know all about McCarthy." could gather together that I was able to avert another public disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the where we are going." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It looks newer than the other things?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I mystery!" round with crates and massive boxes. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he I nodded again. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the coronet in his hand?" hour." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our through." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and himself in a perplexing position. chambers. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior from the brougham. your equipment. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to go into your room and bar your shutters?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, there has been an enclosure here!" lamp in his hand. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she joking. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fall down and do a faint right there before the altar."