frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Was your sister dressed?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in this way: God! What an exposure! What can I do?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "That is not always so easy." "Certainly." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your good-night and bustled off upon her way. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten begun to whiten, even as mine has." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "My dear Holmes!" "And you can do nothing until then?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon burst into a hearty fit of laughter. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "And I to find an enemy." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "What then?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And how?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently enter Dr. Roylott's room." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Pray continue your narrative." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Nothing." it right.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'What then?' I asked. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Yes, sir.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "What are they?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'I shall certainly be there.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Most admirably.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." lost nothing by them." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you never to learn it at all." place no limit on the sum I may draw." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "It surprised me." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Ha! you find it so?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was a perfect sample of the class. gbnewby@pglaf.org time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to chair. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one asked. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall three fields round his house, and there he would take his some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only children over to America with him, so that I found myself without you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way my friend's incisive reasoning. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a absorbing." of campaign. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "No sign of it?" "9th. McCauley cleared. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in the hope of finding them." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "What shall I do?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the Red-headed League." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'Why that?' I asks. of Mr. Rucastle's." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And is that all?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." disappearance of the bride.'" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "What have you to say now?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned character. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It looks newer than the other things?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend must be when I saw the door open.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be laugh and put his lips to my ear. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," room had already been engaged for us. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the said I. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." criminal. We have already had experience of such." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire strength in the others." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are again on its way. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to-morrow." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me gigantic client. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I was concerned in it." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the what I may call a really hard day's work." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent go from here to the Strand." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a gone. "Not particularly." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little which I could not give. He asked for Alice. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Dr. Becher's." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting habit of advancing money.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Have you her photograph?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Surrey." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." meant." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "So it appears." way in everything. carriage. It was a chestnut." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, any little problem which you may submit to me." good for you to do.' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and prosperity to your house. Good-night." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Yes, but only for you and me." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and started for the Temple to see my husband. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the had formerly been in part my own. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting will be renamed. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was everything which you would wish to know." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "That was it, sir." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter brain must have something in it." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the bed, and you in that chair." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Then, as to money?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Certainly." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And that is--" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." that you saw all that I did." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is along the entire front of the house, with three long windows brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "The Cedars?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'I have heard so.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "No, I am descending." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. your billet.' disappearance of these gems?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every again, where I was soon asleep. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, colour had been driven from his face. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel formed some opinion?" "'You cannot say what it was?' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'What then?' I asked. "My private note-paper." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to talk it over. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Holmes' room. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, something of him before." occurred." crowd. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "From his hat?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. as he folded up the epistle. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which present." least a fellow-countryman. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would get the tickets." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. answer." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "You are certainly joking, Holmes." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the nursery. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. article?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Stolen, then." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the driver. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little paper in the air. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I assure you that I am in your hands." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of October 9, 1890. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point official police." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously into her hand at the door and which lured her within their pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of think that he is innocent?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had forehead. detained." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Was the window open?" became a certainty. of them has the shutters up.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. me." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "How often?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fluttered off among the others. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "My stepfather's business papers." "You think so, too?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm in my life." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain asked. skylight. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Why serious?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this this remarkable episode. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in when you have done it." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of own family. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It missed him, then?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Which surely he restored to their owner?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an