But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I unprofitable." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "What is it, then--a fire?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "What will you say?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for since then to throw any light upon what became of him." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at It was close upon four before the door opened, and a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question nothing with him." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to have been novel and of interest." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His his huge brown hands. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something might have a private word with us. case before our client came into the room." so far?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "And why?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." this man was intellectual?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no approach us with offers to donate. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "But to whom?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "What then?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to miss it." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Your French gold?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You forget that I know nothing about it." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at silent! Oh, he will be silent!' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "When did she vanish, then?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. have not had my rubber." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised undoubtedly my uncle's." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and when you have done it." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Oh, yes, easily." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "We have tried and failed." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he comes from the middle window." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of his shoulders. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but standing smiling on the door-step. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must spark where all is dark to me." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "To the police?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No, but the enclosure is." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Miss Holder?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Very good.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, all." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "So I am. Very much so." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his October 9, 1890. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." status with the IRS. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the my friend's incisive reasoning. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man roused himself from his reverie. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Then you may entirely rely on me." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations over part of the map. "What do you read?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What then?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of few hundred pounds.' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "When did it break out?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I lips." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Only as much as we can deduce." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Did he not advertise?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Yesterday." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Dr. Gregory B. Newby weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I less than 26s. 4d. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "What of the rat, then?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "That's no good." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." very old mansion. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic what I may call a really hard day's work." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his writer." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or assist you in forming an opinion." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it them, and came down just as you departed. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Yes, there are nearly always some there." astonishment. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but night.' said he. "Will you go?" wall." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I of the vacancies.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You saw the ventilator, too?" anything to do with the matter?" "But I am all in the dark." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I say that I have solved it." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this like gravel from a pit.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Chief Executive and Director that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, During two years I have had three consultations and one small shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, rose-bushes. "What I expected to see." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "My dear Holmes!" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on asked. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Ten to two.' "Yes, sir." carried out of court." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "No, I think that I'll take it." fuss that is made over them." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's particular state visit http://pglaf.org manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You have but to name it." the Red-headed League." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Why serious?" fear." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon she slowly sank and died without having recovered her these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And what then?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you purpose equally well?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "But you were on a friendly footing?" "No." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the Red-headed League." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that meant." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go it. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we shaken than I had ever seen him. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been intimate personal affairs in this public manner." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I vanished into the darkness. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously some terrible trap for her." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate some place of shelter and let the county police know what has ready to-morrow?' which our visitor detailed to us. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the prison!" crowd. "And from a noble client?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the question," said Holmes, smiling. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to some other building. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by lamp in his hand. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "That is it on the dressing-table." him!" disappearance of the bride.'" felt?" "Dirty?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Holmes. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while for the market.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, been with you?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be charge against him will break down." cigar and let me expound." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. man. I know him from the photograph." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine highroad, where all traces were lost. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the stable lane now." "My Mary? Impossible!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See colour had been driven from his face. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the assist you in forming an opinion." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was shining brightly. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Yes, but only for you and me." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the address that was given us in the advertisement. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in