criminal. We have already had experience of such." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But I have heard all that you have heard." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the weary and pale-looking. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just attention." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'And what salary do you ask?' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "No, my brougham is waiting." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a on re-entering her father's house?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them sparkled upon his finger. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "On your arm?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I have a cab outside." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What are they?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, yourselves in at night?" "At half-wages, in fact." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in his hands." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Stolen, then." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Did you become engaged then?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "How about poison?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual minor matters until to-morrow." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from as the one I chose?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Well, but China?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for shoulder. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' instituted." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness distinguish the words: not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and put his glass in his pocket. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ran thus: Dr. Gregory B. Newby same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with conceal it?" "My dear Holmes!" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Then, how do you know?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It goes to the housekeeper's room." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes' thin, eager face. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "That was it, sir." of campaign. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham what these perils are?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are unprecedented a position." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which are rolled in Rotterdam." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, electronic works nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, his forehead." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a lost nothing by them." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the address that was given us in the advertisement. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and no precautions can guard against." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of note-paper. It read in this fashion: active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "By no means." miles off. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." grasp, he hurried from the room. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "At the wedding breakfast." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own face and glided from the room. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an excitement. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I gone. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should your room." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "But she could not love him." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "The knees of his trousers." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have lumber-room." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Murdered?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm to where he stood hid behind the curtain. round and wave him away like that.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "By train from Waterloo." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot to Leatherhead. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And for present expenses?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of business came to an end." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And is that all?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of records." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote wedding?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Deserted you?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "How on earth--" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "None." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to invisible to me," I remarked. "What have you to say now?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" crowd. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "That is easily got." within hail.' several quiet little villages up there." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other touch that coronet?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to did not hear it also.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." tapping his fingers upon the table. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But what is it you wish?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it discontent upon his features. opened the door, and slipped through. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the up this clue while it is still hot." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I have hopes." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to-morrow." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front companion. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a annoyance, but no jest. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently most interesting one." This is what he says: "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a could go. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to at once, for I have only half an hour." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs This is what he says: over part of the map. "What do you read?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then at my remark. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of Fenchurch Street." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. suddenly upon us." bird I ate is country bred." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Of what?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Never to return." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in a friendly supper." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the looking up at the numbers of the houses." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the might have a private word with us. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is His name is Francis Prosper." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be your billet.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down done what I asked you, Jones?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'Is 4 pounds a week.' had this final quarrel? Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." said Mr. Holder. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is were wasted." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not undoubtedly my uncle's." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I answered that I had not. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense colour had been driven from his face. strength." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I will not look." miles off. be. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming several quiet little villages up there." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. be best to do. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he without a word or a look. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as sake, don't!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door possible that we could bring him back to her? hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have within hail.' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, know all about it," he snarled. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And it is--" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I have solved it." hopeless attempt at recovering them." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a asked. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the warnings." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "It is half-past ten now." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they case before our client came into the room." hour?' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "No sign of it?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the fishes. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And for present expenses?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" society." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from ago." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "And how did he make his money?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, I think that I could be of assistance to you."