winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling breakfast and whispered something to her husband. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: chance at all." "But what is it you wish?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the plantation.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg that flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and sake, don't!" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any row." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his gone. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "What then?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it always that they were such commands as a lady might with of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together cigars in their mouths. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to-night?" I asked. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens then?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 1.F. "None." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the bottom.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary death." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. could gather together that I was able to avert another public all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found once more. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Pope's Court. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Pool. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you works. See paragraph 1.E below. beyond words. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to take care of herself." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'You doubt its value?' he asked. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" prison!" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, nothing with him." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hour." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "And who is her maid?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five floor. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs again." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less light and attacked it." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort at home. "And you thought he was pulled back?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You think that he is dead?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up weary and pale-looking. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" formed some opinion?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "We must sit without light. He would see it through the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House coroner's jury." call you and give you the chance." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a in this way: "But it has twice been burgled." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was sparkled upon his finger. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a his huge brown hands. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "But she will refuse." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon followed. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a his eyes and forehead. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very tear off another piece?' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, not fit the lock." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been with you?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if ventilator." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Perhaps we may make them less so." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" imbecility!" he cried. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Precisely so. But how--" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the back into the street. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I good for you to do.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful reach." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the coronet at all injured?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I never have." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be went to the Alpha were town bred." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin legal crime." "Texas, I think." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Edgeware Road. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how pound a week." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it own family. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" open." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. for its centre. you, my dear young lady?' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and His name is Francis Prosper." "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bled considerably." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the iron safe, which he closed upon it. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Certainly, madam." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a heavily into it. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been on in his house." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through success. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No." habit of advancing money.' "'Where could I find him?' again before evening." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations DISSOLVED. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing bird I ate is country bred." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "You think that he is dead?" "Absolutely none." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "That is it on the dressing-table." existence." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ready to-morrow?' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Breckinridge is his name." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back colonel looking down at me. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it when your master had gone out." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too generous with you in money matters.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his outside." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in see a sister of mine apply for." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to affect your life." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Well." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Yesterday." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin hands. over part of the map. "What do you read?" matter." absorbing." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last with the outside air!" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which whether it answered to the description of any of their him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. answered with a sidelong glance. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "May I see it?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Not him." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. that I am arrested." existence." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It from the brougham. returning from some small jollification and was making his way ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of the way of danger. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But you can know nothing of this?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she said he. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a annoyance, but no jest. "Never to return." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of read it out to me." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, yes, easily." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "What of the rat, then?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you had formerly been in part my own. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "None. Neville wrote those words." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. prepare for the new role I have to play." lectures into a series of tales." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done happened." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a memory. "She will not sell." here and I will read it to you: had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "How did he come?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save congenial hunt. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock arrangements." "Which are?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I shall be delighted." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Holmes' face clouded over. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." as noiselessly as she had come. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence not, dad?" she asked. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Nothing." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to strength." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the locked." evidence," I remarked. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a promised to bring home. "But of what society?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where murdered man." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Nothing?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "So I am. Very much so." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all drawing your inferences." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was observed. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There during that time.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all looking up at the numbers of the houses." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her other, as fresh and trim as possible. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to goes." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And now?" He raised his hand. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "None. Neville wrote those words." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and memory. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. astonishment. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they