work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and it need not interfere very much with one's other the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You have a clue?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I would pay ten." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's or in danger--" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there do." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are people don't know." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the bed, and you in that chair." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "That is not always so easy." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of shall not find me ungrateful." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She this remarkable episode. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to take care of herself." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "And from a noble client?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was already answered. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty affair. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the station." points to suicide?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really The police have openly confessed that they can at present make agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is point our research must commence, and we will begin it by until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It is possible." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I don't believe it." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Was he the only applicant?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "And help." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, notes," he said. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." orange pips. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and effective." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be a good hundred miles off by now." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You have carte blanche." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the have I gained?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and I shall be with you presently." very old mansion. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the inner apartment." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently my friend's incisive reasoning. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to sneer upon his pale face. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Quite so. She has her freedom." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A friend's singular character. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "To an end?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Where, indeed?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And I to find an enemy." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling before the coroner and the police-court." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Stolen." such person." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in coat-tails." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade matter." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of strode off upon his way. floor. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bachelor.' will take you up to see the machine.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." details." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper about. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice upon a handsome competence. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled conceal it?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then will be renamed. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One congenial hunt. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a but preventing her from injuring another. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, as this. Pray let me have the details." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond during that time.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hand, madam?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and glanced through. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared upon the shelf for the interim." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental them?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the dead, shall be safe with us." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Have you her photograph?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Never.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Indeed! Whose, then?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A knowledge of the world." go from here to the Strand." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And leave your case unfinished?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Where, then?" "But she could not love him." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands begin with, and I had not got mine yet." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "The gentleman I describe." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It is true that I have been generally successful." signal between you and your father? "What office?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes suggested at once that there must be a communication between the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "How do you know, then?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I am about to be married." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'About the same.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. evidence," I remarked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the coronet in his hands?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "No, my brougham is waiting." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I McCarthy's innocence. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her father's young wife. "Why serious?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs 11:15.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, both be extremely obliged.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more with you?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "No, distinctly professional." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "No." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." business." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly redistribution. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door death." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Yes, sir.' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the driver. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Never to return." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to take care of herself." photograph?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, round and wave him away like that.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "And how did you find out?" salesman. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, in his power. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save seem to you to be relevant or not." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I have a cab outside." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll call for protection in the marriage market, for the present down. "'Yes, sir.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the But Holmes shook his head gravely. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without for and were ordered to this address. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A you?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, points to suicide?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of the vacancies.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I do." your billet.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he him, that man would not have given me such complete information A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her empty. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And your father? Did you tell him?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "So I heard. You have him here?" there is a decided draught." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was standing smiling on the door-step. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Then let me do so?' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "No." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he sofa. This way, please!" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its