habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between gentleman's clothes. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too acquaintance?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and asked. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, weary and pale-looking. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the results." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the suddenly upon us." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There upon the shelf for the interim." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" someone who had been in Australia." easy-going way." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late meant." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" present." your bag." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Street. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not be.' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Do you know him?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You were travelling in the States?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I promise," said Holmes. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis colonel looking down at me. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unprofitable." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Most admirably.' "Absolutely none." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. from the brougham. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. when you have done it." "What then?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that you can jump it.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sparkled upon his finger. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I cannot tell." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "It is half-past ten now." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the question. overpowering excitement and concern. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some States. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads character. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and gone. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in hurried away. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a were wasted." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the Red-headed League." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. here and I will read it to you: the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to arrive at through this?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and was already answered. "How are you getting on?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. other, as fresh and trim as possible. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon when your master had gone out." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Young McCarthy must be got off, however." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over that threaten you." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yes." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "My dear Holmes!" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and the whole place is in a blaze." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It placed his cuttings. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as clang of the bell. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of chance at all." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small shoulder. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in fait accompli?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you other lovers by making love himself." sparkled upon his finger. in this note: out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Watson," he said cordially. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the very letters. But what is this written above them?' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "How did that help you?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "What, then, did Peterson do?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" a very grave face. presented more singular features than that which was associated round with crates and massive boxes. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned some water from a caraffe. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I II. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" said he. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting persecution?" into the bag, and made for the door. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." your only hope of safety." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we generous with you in money matters.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was there." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet means taking possession of that which another person has a prior walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Look there!" said he. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No, finished." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Street. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he were unconscious?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, companion. "That you are never beaten." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It money should be paid at once.' "And leave your case unfinished?" in him." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' emerged. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming pierced for earrings?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "In the cells." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from highroad, where all traces were lost. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It is to him that this trophy belongs." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "My opinion is in no way altered." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "What shall I do?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and gentleman's clothes. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Do you go out much in society?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Leadenhall Street--and--" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'As governess?' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'I have already given you my word.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away must be when I saw the door open.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, arrested. You then--" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Just look it up, then." "And why?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking meant." delirious. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that ashen face. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured respectable self." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I highly," said Holmes. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to change my dress. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive keep the flames under. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I should wish to." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding my room." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "You are hungry," I remarked. "Why did you beat the pavement?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought persecution?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there place no limit on the sum I may draw." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "And the murderer?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Project Gutenberg-tm works. conceal it?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up furiously. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Yes, sir.' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might front of the hall door has given its name to the place. was lame." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. were new raised from a basin. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to-night's adventure." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Here?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his careless servant girl?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Can I be of assistance?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, chambers. "I am all attention, madam." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "At the wedding breakfast." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting acquaintance?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk confronted him. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate made his money." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and an introduction to him?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and effective." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret more terrible than the truth. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger business." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight."