chamber." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I cannot as yet see any connection." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I nodded to show that I had heard. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, it would be as well." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had careless servant girl?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most noting anything else of interest. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that him." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. less than 26s. 4d. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in said I. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is it." your bag." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Oh, no.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." back alive. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then mystery may be cleared along those lines." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving kind enough to tell me what I should do." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'A dozen yards or so.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; observed. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "By all means." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles too. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Seven!" I answered. delirious. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' directly by questioning you." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Thank you. And your address?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, round and wave him away like that.' "His face fell immediately. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying galvanised. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock noise which awoke you from your sleep?" good for you to do.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Mary, has deserted me." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about conceal it?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "No, finished." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Foundation would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered results." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly my room." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The my special province." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a until night should bring an explanation. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" awaited us upon the table. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Texas, I think." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day society." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Where, indeed?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features affection." of." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'I shall certainly be there.' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two future lives." tension within him. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt whereabouts. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up at my remark. crime. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official companion imperturbably. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At fishes. if I call to-morrow?" opened the door, and slipped through. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Serpentine Avenue. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham developed." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a or in danger--" next day. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the details." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Come in!" said he. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my any more." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of problems help me to do so." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls was a loud and authoritative tap. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk for its centre. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Never.' Holmes' thin, eager face. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Was there a secret marriage?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a thin legs towards the fire. "It missed him, then?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "On Monday." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Can I be of assistance?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left guilty parties." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Have you it here?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "The vanishing of the lady." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of Fenchurch Street." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am pierced for earrings?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but into the room. "I promise," said Holmes. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his would then never go into court at all." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "But what will you do?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' one which it was hard to resist. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, one else, I think." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "No good news?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there been." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If answer." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Mrs. Toller serenely. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." himself in a perplexing position. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done felt?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "What have you to say now?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this acquaintance?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the tell me that you intended to go into harness." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey my special province." and glanced through. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to wedding?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, made him keep the appointment." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people were unconscious?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Were they all fastened this morning?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I am to be neutral?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, minor matters until to-morrow." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer breakfast." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was it brought him the coronet? not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Where could I find him?' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle best detective that ever lived. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes what I may call a really hard day's work." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: during which he might have communicated with his friend the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'I have already given you my word.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot next day. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he that he has suffered." "I am following you closely," I answered. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the salesman. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was a lad." not fit the lock." "It came here." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father possible that we could bring him back to her? all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an seem to you to be relevant or not." answer." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of once more to my work. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I thin legs towards the fire. Edgeware Road. really the only notable feature about the thing." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is should be so warm over such a trifle." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still McCarthy." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug It may be so in this case, also." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of happened." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It letters?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "And for present expenses?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after seen the man in the road." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was plantation.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Foundation "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until read it out to me." me. You must get home instantly and act." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it were putty." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and put his glass in his pocket. "I cannot tell." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "In San Francisco, a year ago." wall." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I nodded to show that I had heard. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such