was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Then I shall certainly come." man. I know him from the photograph." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "And you don't know his address?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the we went to search for him, face downward in a little and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to should be taken.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Certainly, madam." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any ordinary clothes on?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is said he. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a have an American origin." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned memory. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and have this put in the evening papers." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. you?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted along the entire front of the house, with three long windows pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I shall be delighted." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Imitated." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning again before evening." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. prison!" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "10th. John Swain cleared. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of my room." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress presented which may be striking and bizarre without being one which it was hard to resist. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I cannot think." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did without success. At last the little money which I had saved began dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client new duties?' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider colonel looking down at me. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a people in all walks of life. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey clang of the bell. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that I can to serve you." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the page at http://pglaf.org the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that before taking the final step I should like to submit the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive astonishment. little trying to do so much typewriting?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? secret." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of that I am arrested." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier green of the new foliage. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "His face fell immediately. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post your bag." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Leave Paddington by the 11:15." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of His name is Francis Prosper." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have matter over." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, interests were the same as his." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father shag which I had seen upon the previous night. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking any." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his outsides of the windows. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out meant it for the best. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for nothing with him." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late how narrow had been my escape. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I shall most certainly do so." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their confronted him. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Nothing?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we conceal it?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Could he throw no light?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But I have heard all that you have heard." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "And it is--" fire. You quite follow me?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two fear." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'What do you call purely nominal?' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "What office?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What then?" will take you up to see the machine.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Very. But will he see it?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Is he quiet?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months photograph?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a as yours." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless http://www.gutenberg.net forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Look there!" said he. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding his grey eyes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" front of me. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Nor running a chance of arrest?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Very murderous indeed." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Really! You surprise me." eat it." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sutherland?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I see many objections to any such theory." "I shall be delighted." ventilator." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the running down." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Witness: It was. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning You want to know what became of those geese?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to Leatherhead. the south-west, I see." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "They are typewritten," I remarked. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I saw her in conversation with her maid." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Of what day?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. forecastle of an emigrant ship. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is quick march!" "Then he might have called to you?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that he has suffered." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Here?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And what did you see?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of power." McCarthy." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "What! You do not mean bodies?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "No, thank goodness, she did not." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." at a side door. formed some opinion?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the light and attacked it." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I know where it is." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I not personally threatened." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some speckled band?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "And how did you verify them?" "Not him." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the from the brougham.