dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Dirty?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Edgeware Road. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the house with me." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Married! When?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I should wish to." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents even so self-evident a thing as that." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "How did you trace it, then?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the stable lane now." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent generous with you in money matters.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I eavesdroppers?' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." trifles." "What do you make of that, Watson?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. been able to understand it, in a very few words. enter into my head. "Come in!" said Holmes. "'It is locked up,' I answered. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." his cane at the bell-pull. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked invisible to me," I remarked. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Count Von Kramm." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our indeed happy." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Was your sister dressed?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Precisely." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to indeed which he could not unravel. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." think you a quite exceptional woman." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do young Openshaw's." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You were travelling in the States?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Arthur Conan Doyle round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he stood on the top of it. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were there is a decided draught." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that problems help me to do so." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "To an end?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." drove away. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me shag which I had seen upon the previous night. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know what I may call a really hard day's work." call you and give you the chance." his cane at the bell-pull. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her gives a meaning to it." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Did you observe the colour?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And sit in the dark?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Eyford." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you in your example." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that this man was intellectual?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "None." "I don't say that. Perhaps." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." call for it in person on Monday morning.' where we are going." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had than to us. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the about. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit me where it went to?" have got?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew sentimental considerations in the background which would induce answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. clang of the bell. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hardly wander." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I would pay ten." for the market.' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "What is it, then--a fire?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Not particularly." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Yes, only one." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this present strange and interesting features that it is no easy us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a fled together." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John acted in my house last night?" galvanised. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And who is her maid?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I don't say that. Perhaps." Project Gutenberg-tm works. me have 200 pounds?' which are rolled in Rotterdam." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "If so, much may have happened between." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the room had already been engaged for us. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight wedding?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, derbies." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand notes," he said. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Here?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' paper in the air. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Nearly eleven." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "And that is--" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a his face which made him a very different person to the round, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of into the room. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "An accident, I presume?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the You want to know what became of those geese?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A You can understand that this register and diary may implicate who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "It was." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second with her." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Where is it, then?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "She told me to ask you." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring in a friendly supper." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Project Gutenberg-tm works. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, sir." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" upon the white wrist. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he crackling voice. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to a more successful conclusion." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in chambers. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. light and attacked it." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "She told me to ask you." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "None." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But beyond words. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal national property. I was determined that the law should have its also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has his knees, staring into the fire. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom directors, with the result that you have seen." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, really the only notable feature about the thing." awaited us upon the table. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line photograph?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, had formerly been in part my own. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "And how?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love again, where I was soon asleep. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the matter." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'As governess?' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography quickly through a disagreeable task. the devil!" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Very. But will he see it?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm breakfast." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of cup of tea. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while this as likely?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and all of them with the keenest interest. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' of receipt of the work. against a man in the prime of life?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Ample.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, out of this horrible affair." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, deduce something from that?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the Friday. Was it to be in church?" remarked. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the very letters. But what is this written above them?' a monotonous occupation." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that is acting for the best. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Lee, in the county of Kent." row." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found weighed down with some great anxiety. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told without a word or a look. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with she has been waylaid. There has been no result." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Was there a secret marriage?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our door?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the even of instruction." with her." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, know all about it," he snarled. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He appeal." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the one as in the other." to you." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Frequently." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but