do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Certainly." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Not yet." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Nothing." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Do you know him?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "The vanishing of the lady." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the back into the street. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered occurred." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "That is unusual in a young girl." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I cannot imagine." "Is he quiet?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Eh? What was that?" least a most suspicious remark." a room. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "The murder was done with it." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And you can do nothing until then?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "By no means." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even The summons was a brief and urgent one. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the had a long day." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point my secret was safe in his possession. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my as the one I chose?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "What can it mean?" I gasped. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. place no limit on the sum I may draw." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' where we are going." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, room had already been engaged for us. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Yes." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dead, shall be safe with us." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to-night?' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'A dozen yards or so.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Texas, I think." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Miss Holder?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Then he might have called to you?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which said he. were wasted." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and good for you to do.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Serpentine Avenue. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be meant." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped shall use the carriage to-night." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And the murderer?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and it need not interfere very much with one's other "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Witness: I must still refuse. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat chill to my heart. business matters.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. discontent upon his features. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom http://gutenberg.net/license). through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'You doubt its value?' he asked. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, companion imperturbably. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the way in everything. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is thirty. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the date of his supposed suicide." "I cannot tell." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "What are they?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as companion. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "In heaven's name, what for?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and chamber." to you." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The knees of his trousers." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'Certainly not. But why?' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And you don't know his address?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' empty. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray point in the dark hollow of his hand. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' union?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to his chemical studies. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Then how many are there?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless October 9, 1890. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this as likely?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to pressing in one house as in another. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I have hopes." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a enter Dr. Roylott's room." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. asked. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with It was close upon four before the door opened, and a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to again before evening." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, disturbance in my wife." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" fishes. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, legal crime." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. bonnet, and went out." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate relation between them, and what the object of his repeated ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary enough to aid us in our search." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'In my own bureau.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was over with notes and figures. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. eat it." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Certainly." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. you." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always happened." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "There are none." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Then I am your man." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Yes." records." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Then what has happened to him?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, noble correspondent could be. not come at once?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: matter over." stammered. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "One of the highest in England." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, unkempt, staring out at me. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a way: country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "One of his hands." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic friends, not even his own brother. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. fishes. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a carpenter." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the devil!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "She told me to ask you." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and dramatic, in fact." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Oh, no.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Quite sure, dad.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, weapon." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do suddenly upon us." front of me. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one may never be exposed to such a temptation." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to over here." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'I have already given you my word.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And Irene Adler?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And now?" I asked. the very morning of the wedding." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Was the window open?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You are all wrong." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and forebodings. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to