to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Countess of Morcar's?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my easy-going way." people in all walks of life. bill, which interests me deeply." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been constraint." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You are all wrong." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I am sure." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." shaken than I had ever seen him. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are words came to my lips. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it which our visitor detailed to us. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When formed some opinion?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. me." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." bonnet, and went out." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of flock.' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lectures into a series of tales." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "No, finished." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There about. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of some terrible trap for her." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What are they?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And Irene Adler?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in at my own good fortune. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature hurried away. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He his huge brown hands. all that?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now himself. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity window when the police appeared." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely your own bird, so if you wish--" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I cannot say that I have." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. served to weaken the effect. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I am still in the dark." "I cannot think." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "That is possible." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen page at http://pglaf.org the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I have it here in my museum." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can conduct the inquiry." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the night.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage had this final quarrel? Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Precisely." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before be.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'Ample.' at a side door. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then how many are there?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar have established a very serious case against the son of the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm tension within him. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But she could not love him." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came your bag." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home use an arc-and-compass breastpin." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to have that photograph." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that success. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "That is possible." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' south, for the country is more deserted there." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Have you it here?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as are windows in it, of course?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in laugh and put his lips to my ear. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Why, what do you mean?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I think it very unlikely." think, you have already met." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the unprecedented a position." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a few hundred pounds.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." been deceived." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Where, then, is my wife?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 returned to France?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Indeed! Whose, then?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "My photograph." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive fattened it expressly for you.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which danger is over." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Eyford." done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the devil!" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a of." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "How on earth--" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I am to be neutral?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled cause to be." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards The summons was a brief and urgent one. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Where, indeed?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens seem to you to be relevant or not." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. your co-operation." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he through." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could late!' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your about here speaks of his kindness to him." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "None." the driver. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his followed. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Which surely he restored to their owner?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind was shining brightly. "That's no good." read it out to me." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Did you become engaged then?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Again Holmes raved in the air. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You saw the ventilator, too?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Foundation been." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One interest. They are important, you understand, without being he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the coronet at all injured?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Yes." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded despaired of." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' handed it to him. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Munro.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided in the hope of finding them." in my life." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "No more words. Get out!" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the writers could invent nothing more crude." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon the shelf for the interim." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was touch that coronet?' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very acted in my house last night?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, foot. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little all that?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Stolen, then." should be so warm over such a trifle." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "And your father? Did you tell him?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking one's self under obligations.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was used.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to foot. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent could go. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I served to weaken the effect. clang of the bell.