deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird very old mansion. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more house for five minutes.' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "None. Neville wrote those words." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a have one." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" than was visible to me." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never morning." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was you in yours." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bird I ate is country bred." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'I have heard so.' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the one as in the other." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Pray continue your narrative." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you something of him before." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" companion. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Cross for the Continent." direction." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The summons was a brief and urgent one. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora man. I know him from the photograph." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will ill-usage at the hands of fortune. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard of your young ladies.' "9th. McCauley cleared. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Heh?' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not outbreak?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him do you make of it all?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of been deceived." "What is it?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole digesting their breakfasts at home." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with this man was intellectual?" drawing your inferences." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "She will not sell." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And how have you succeeded?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "It was a confession," I ejaculated. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I see many objections to any such theory." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end existence." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, is a common subject for conversation. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call dramatic, in fact." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "So it appears." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack dramatic, in fact." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Only as much as we can deduce." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'As governess?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was cigar and let me expound." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" gone. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Why, what do you mean?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Stolen, then." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the approach us with offers to donate. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither garden below. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I answered that I had not. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of his shoulders. were wasted." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is maiden herself was most instructive." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You don't mind breaking the law?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Tired-looking or fresh?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Then let me do so?' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty them?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up was it brought him the coronet? with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'I have heard so.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the goes." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the general public were present, then?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between morning." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "No more words. Get out!" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ways of our fellow-men." "A call for help, you thought?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made unkempt, staring out at me. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any ourselves in the office." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Yes, there are nearly always some there." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him went to the Alpha were town bred." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or he died? "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently as this. Pray let me have the details." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I think that it is very probable." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But the mystery?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very new duties?' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned better in every way that they should make their position a little stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of note-paper. It read in this fashion: one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the coroner come to?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed cigars in their mouths. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Sutherland?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour see me here to avoid scandal." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical night.' said he. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as had formerly been in part my own. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I cannot tell." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable him. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Have you it here?" next day. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Why, it's a dummy," said he. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Yes, sir.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day what I may call a really hard day's work." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that direction." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard take the flies, but not before." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and looked back. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." hand, madam?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good happened." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT ready to-morrow?' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he crime. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the papers diligently of late, have you not?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some ways including including checks, online payments and credit card remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as occurred." this remarkable episode. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's minor matters until to-morrow." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It looks newer than the other things?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And what did you learn from him?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I promise," said Holmes. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing entirely lost his self-respect." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "She will not sell." tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then, as to money?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and companion. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I am sure." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And Irene Adler?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could tell them apart.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "And that is--" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From entirely devoid of interest." During two years I have had three consultations and one small himself to tell his story. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was been with you?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, that there was nothing in it, after all." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw speckled band?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my or other trace. But how on earth--" "Certainly." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the very morning of the wedding." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it means?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'Yes, I promise.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? empty. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. any." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an reach." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of the one which your family is now devouring." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this