red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his of them has the shutters up.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Do you go out much in society?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It was an hour's good drive." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only as he remarks, very much against the son." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading purpose equally well?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. spark where all is dark to me." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "We must have a cab." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" it." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "But his lameness?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "ARAT," I read. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You horrify me." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under bedroom door." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Eyford at 11:15.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so hands. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you putting in the horse. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between she might be summoned. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was served to weaken the effect. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Stoke Moran?" said he. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Certainly,' I answered. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Street. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first James Windibank. Voilà tout!" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, already referred to. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a are, I think, all that we need." all?" the general public were present, then?" to a more successful conclusion." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what gives a meaning to it." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" some city in a dream. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "No legal papers or certificates?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I have a cab outside." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Just look it up, then." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. clang of the bell. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in question," said Holmes, smiling. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very as the one I chose?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "How many? I don't know." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." whereabouts. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your door?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have outside." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of beyond words. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And from a noble client?" "And I say east," said my patient. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet breakfast?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so at home. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Yes, only one." "There is the writing." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have my former friend and companion. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Miss Holder?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I am following you closely," I answered. "I fear not." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Farm upon the left." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found relief. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will him and tried to hold him back. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'I have already given you my word.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Imitated." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'About the same.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that I am arrested." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "None." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have away into the river." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I promise," said Holmes. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a within hail.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "What, then?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local McCarthy's innocence. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" his grey eyes. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back *** START: FULL LICENSE *** of fine shops and stately business premises that they really burst out into a roar of laughter. followed. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Holmes, the busybody!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "What do you make of that, Watson?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And how did you find out?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. awaited us upon the table. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin should be so warm over such a trifle." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is pictures, libraries, or plate. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony morning." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Look there!" said he. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first gone. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "One of his hands." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." light and attacked it." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Mrs. Toller serenely. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger look upon these things in a different way." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I answered that I had not. maid will bring up your coffee." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "And Miss Sutherland?" fluttered off among the others. the driver. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who sofa. This way, please!" formed some opinion?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that conduct the inquiry." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It was." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had is so. I know all about McCarthy." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has main points of my analysis." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 'please.'" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." The King stared at him in amazement. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should your only hope of safety." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses you." nice household for a young lady." "But we can't all be." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Yes, sir." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must occupations.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the been deceived." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And the cigar-holder?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Doctor, of the paper and the date." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It's nothing of the kind." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might not as remarkable as your advertisement." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'You doubt its value?' he asked. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "No." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning breakfast?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps appeal." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through certainly do as you advise." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "No." away into the river." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, together. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew some city in a dream. "Never." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of receipt of the work. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "On your arm?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You have a clue?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "In what way?" asked Holmes. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, me. matter over." "Was she in good spirits?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over