established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, directly by questioning you." "That you are never beaten." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in which we had just quitted. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and several quiet little villages up there." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "That is unusual in a young girl." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I am in hopes that she does." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was that he has suffered." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "It is no ordinary one." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. speckled band?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I have hopes." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about had no one to advise her at such a crisis." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the The events in question occurred in the early days of my which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as bonnet, and went out." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of it with the greatest attention. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "When did it break out?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I am sure." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such when your master had gone out." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the he died? conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual allusion to a rat. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon be there in time for your coming." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Holmes." my former friend and companion. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a own family. depend upon your compliance." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." charged with?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "One of the highest in England." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the date of his supposed suicide." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who which our visitor detailed to us. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'I am sure if I had known--' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and other means.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes, I have one waiting." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." get her out of the way." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the general public were present, then?" not fit the lock." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an woman who has had her own way to make in the world. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I answered that I had not. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely like that before?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such take the flies, but not before." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Have you her photograph?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have I nodded again. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which it had come upon my father." enter into my head. in his hands." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in experiences." be. and all of them with the keenest interest. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "VIOLET HUNTER." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "In the cells." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in this note: "What will you do, then?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different begin with, and I had not got mine yet." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and the colonel ushered me in. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "And from a noble client?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the Red-headed League." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his cause to be." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would my friend's incisive reasoning. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and tear off another piece?' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I think it very unlikely." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "But how did you gain them?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little have accepted such a situation. "So it appears." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the general public were present, then?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Did you observe the colour?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on hurried by. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer in his hands." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to several quiet little villages up there." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "What shall I do?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It is solved." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after presented which may be striking and bizarre without being state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very fattened it expressly for you.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "About a month then." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: status with the IRS. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It is possible." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood subject to the trademark license, especially commercial which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and bare slabs of marble. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "That also I could fathom." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is you do it in twenty minutes!' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to have been novel and of interest." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "10th. John Swain cleared. ashen face. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "ARAT," I read. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the My friend smiled. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an whole matter to your consideration." ready to-morrow?' "'Certainly,' I answered. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and too. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it conversation I have gathered that they have been married about business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wedding?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets upon the white wrist. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody went to the Alpha were town bred." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dates and names. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Do you receive much company?" he asked. deduce something from that?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yesterday." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Awake, Watson?" he asked. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He case-book, which he consulted. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled fluttered off among the others. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened McCarthy's innocence. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Precisely so. But how--" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It it right.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "No, I am descending." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' fluttered off among the others. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Murdered?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian that I can to serve you." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that in the port of London." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Yes, there are nearly always some there." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that once more to my work. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. tell him that I know him to be innocent." indeed happy." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the visitors." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hard-headed British jury." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Never." manager. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I detained." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And I to find an enemy." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Precisely." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Certainly,' I answered. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came train.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You heard nothing yourself last night?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing quite distinctive." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest so.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" purpose of examination. affair. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The landlord of the Alpha." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, But Holmes shook his head gravely. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "How on earth--" have accepted such a situation. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fat-encircled eyes. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the guilty one." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Come in!" said Holmes. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down