"There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as some place of shelter and let the county police know what has McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must when you have done it." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the stable lane now." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. something of him before." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, is so. I know all about McCarthy." with some details as to your case." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a knowledge of the world." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was his cane at the bell-pull. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "What then?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "What! Had he lost his wife?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "But the mystery?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had lectures into a series of tales." open." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Was she in good spirits?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the already been minutely examined." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' there is a decided draught." "'Yes.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent address. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker maiden herself was most instructive." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the straightened it out again. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking money should be paid at once.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." thought that she would have been so carried away." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the have had none more fantastic than this." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and golden eyeglasses. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the go from here to the Strand." "Yes." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to chambers. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And I say east," said my patient. fasten all the windows?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house for securing the situation." head. So long, then!" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police death." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and or other trace. But how on earth--" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the very morning of the wedding." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere hands. thirty. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose in the dead of the night?' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I guessed as much." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door 1.E.9. stood on the top of it. "We must have a cab." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe brain must have something in it." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate through." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for one of them." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have very morning of my second wedding." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. sake, don't!" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see not personally threatened." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their other lovers by making love himself." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently disturbance in my wife." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of done what I asked you, Jones?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well, some hundreds of times." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Sutherland. is," said he presently: conduct the inquiry." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very old mansion. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Never." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt must be when I saw the door open.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "That is possible." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Why did you beat the pavement?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." returned to France?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting congratulate you again." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to-morrow." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the towards the blaze. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Will you go?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this goes." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the night.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who sneer upon his pale face. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake companion. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, fasten all the windows?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, minor matters until to-morrow." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who drove away. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hands. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain upon the sideboard." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. go--none." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'And the work?' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. young Openshaw's." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the room while you explain this matter?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "What office?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor prepare for the new role I have to play." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or infinite languor in his face. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Yes, certainly." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "We must sit without light. He would see it through the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the salesman. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "What I expected to see." could go. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. confronted him. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It was." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "You think that he is dead?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could said I. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money upon the sideboard." skylight. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day The King stared at him in amazement. corner of the building. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a he bowed and left the room without another word. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he indiscretion." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "But it has twice been burgled." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "They are typewritten," I remarked. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and I shall be with you presently." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And your father? Did you tell him?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was your bag." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And now?" He raised his hand. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Why did you pick him?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Come in!" said he. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that I may have something better before very many minutes are professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And who is her maid?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And begun to whiten, even as mine has." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And why?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in him." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I am still in the dark." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the coronet in his hands?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which know all about it," he snarled. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." at my remark. tear off another piece?' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. The summons was a brief and urgent one. him. that you saw all that I did." colour had been driven from his face. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I am to be neutral?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Then he might have called to you?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible believe that I should never have any practice at all. brain must have something in it." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'I have heard so.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered open." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "And why in hopes?" read it out to me." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Stoke Moran." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without recover the gem." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a McCarthy's innocence. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Again Holmes raved in the air. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Well, it is a possible supposition." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at felt?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?"