"But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most that he will be back before evening." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Where is it, then?" entirely devoid of interest." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the unprecedented a position." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes." begun to whiten, even as mine has." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Henry Baker is a member." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. recover the gem." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Which surely he restored to their owner?" whether it answered to the description of any of their prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it with his own hands." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not dates and names. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or overpowering excitement and concern. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first tell them apart.' States. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Precisely." "No, my brougham is waiting." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the how narrow had been my escape. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Ample.' ventilator." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to at home. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able room?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an there when the Rucastles went away." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "What will you say?" "The doctor?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to him!" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. habit of advancing money.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate child?' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress neither fascinating nor artistic." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. answer." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by would apply.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'There is a drive, then?' least a most suspicious remark." States. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the window, rose as we entered. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "No, I had a dozen." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the night.' the Assizes." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being carpenter." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And sit in the dark?" Eyford at 11:15.' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, but the enclosure is." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps rooms." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "But you were on a friendly footing?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and answered with a sidelong glance. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his closely." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Why serious?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the of receipt of the work. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain recover the gem." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I be.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Very truly yours, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose he bowed and left the room without another word. have I gained?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "About a month then." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission think that he is innocent?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Why serious?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Two days later this same performance was gone through under shall not find me ungrateful." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "It surprised me." questionable one." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy learned something! Where are the gems?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" away into the river." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Nearly eleven." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged burst out into a roar of laughter. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we had this final quarrel? I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy some mystery and the punishment of some crime." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" lips." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And I." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious for the market.' "What can you not understand?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is no ordinary one." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it until night should bring an explanation. rose-bushes. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less peculiar to him. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or directors have had misgivings upon the subject." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without brandy and water within his reach. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "VIOLET HUNTER." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Get out!" said he. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Your French gold?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to that open window." "And the cigar-holder?" derbies." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is again on its way. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The King of Scandinavia." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense envelope. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs country, and eventually married, without anyone having a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "In what way?" asked Holmes. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to know that the truth is known." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the way in everything. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." only touch the interest." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing said I. time." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Heh?' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Why serious?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "What will you do, then?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than begin with, and I had not got mine yet." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You think so, too?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Eyford." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "But how will you look?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I would pay ten." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account During two years I have had three consultations and one small copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to-night?" I asked. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in bill, which interests me deeply." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the electronic works It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after became a certainty. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Lee, in the county of Kent." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning for its centre. side. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 stood on the top of it. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's where we are going." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the roots. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, not within a twentieth part of the market price." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his speckled band?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back compunction about shooting them down." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his III. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. chamber." "And what did you learn from him?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a you do it in twenty minutes!' distinguish the words: certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'It is locked up,' I answered. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' locked. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to outbreak?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be room had already been engaged for us. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It is no ordinary one." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am dramatic, in fact." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Then I do not see the point." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Did your wife hear all this?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought