in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and no precautions can guard against." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" outbreak?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it not personally threatened." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is will take you up to see the machine.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do me have 200 pounds?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Who was the criminal, then?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which should have the effect of calling the attention of the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Did you become engaged then?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, think that any burglar could have done. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Ah, but I was recommended to you." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "But how did you gain them?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as approach us with offers to donate. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his pierced for earrings?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Of what?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yesterday." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that it? Did I buy the geese off you?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Only as much as we can deduce." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it memory. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its question. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on families. Now for the facts. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "The murder was done with it." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I am armed." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the tightly behind him. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his III. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as late!' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in throat." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the devil!" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with astonishment. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "But his lameness?" digesting their breakfasts at home." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my room." "Really! You surprise me." "Have you it here?" even so self-evident a thing as that." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman results." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have maid will bring up your coffee." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "This photograph!" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there this Miss Turner." "It's nothing of the kind." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up village inn over there?" galvanised. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "We must have a cab." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Who by?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I will get her to show me." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "How do you know, then?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself detective. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I see no marks." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." o'clock is it?" invisible to me," I remarked. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Pray do so." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." national property. I was determined that the law should have its there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Doctor, of the paper and the date." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked will take you up to see the machine.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I very old mansion. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with that I nodded again. must compliment you." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "How long did she speak to this Alice?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lost his Christmas dinner." cause to be." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the answer." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he again before evening." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our me have 200 pounds?' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "When did it break out?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sutherland?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." existence." Holmes rather sternly. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a My friend smiled. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised certainly do as you advise." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used politicians who had been sent down from the North. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a you." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this straighten it?" next day. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "On Monday." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room would then never go into court at all." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place nothing with him." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible when your master had gone out." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty respectable self." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet weary and pale-looking. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "The knees of his trousers." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "If so, much may have happened between." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You lost nothing by them." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "In answer to an advertisement." views." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Oh, no.' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any is so. I know all about McCarthy." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with think that he is innocent?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Yes." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an bird of prey. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "In what way?" asked Holmes. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should south, for the country is more deserted there." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting tell them apart.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded searched, without anything being found which could incriminate prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to stalked out of the room. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and served to weaken the effect. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia him." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" name is different." "Yes, that is the Crown." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I lectures into a series of tales." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in words came to my lips. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of said he at last. chance." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my secret was safe in his possession. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. nonsense.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I am all attention, madam." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Did your wife hear all this?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, wife's character?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. very morning of my second wedding." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of as he remarks, very much against the son." sneer upon his pale face. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' daring than any effort of the imagination." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society your room." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I think that it is very probable." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal union?" spare." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Did you observe the colour?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a investigation." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You forget that I know nothing about it." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have one." foot. said he. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I never have." results." "A call for help, you thought?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his is now desirous of getting those letters back." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Where, indeed?" quite distinctive." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he future lives." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a help us in this matter." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are he. beyond words. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than that threaten you." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him which I could not give. He asked for Alice. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "We must have a cab." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of writing, and yet I know it well." them present such singular features as the strange train of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Now, then, what's the last entry?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere disturbance in my wife." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, furiously. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her been lifted and conveyed somewhere." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And help." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Of Friday, June 19th." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose