"And Miss Sutherland?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "My dear Holmes!" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked quick march!" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" companion imperturbably. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as held up the lantern and gazed about him. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I held the little printed slip to the light. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your spark where all is dark to me." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." away to you." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to three fields round his house, and there he would take his fire. You quite follow me?" or other trace. But how on earth--" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to Leatherhead. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and bird I ate is country bred." ceremony." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I cannot say that I have." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up locked. "I cannot imagine." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked down. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were carriage. It was a chestnut." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. do." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to you." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself late!' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman tied." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, shoulder. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland little adventures." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Who by?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to opportunities to fix the problem. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the such attractions and accomplishments?' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank stepfather?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I more solid." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "But I have heard all that you have heard." served to weaken the effect. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his grey eyes. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'Never,' said I. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Well, some hundreds of times." it." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. than to us. "My Mary? Impossible!" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of them has the shutters up.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never British peeress.'" which we had just quitted. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is four-and-twenty." "In answer to an advertisement." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." certainly do as you advise." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Yes. He waved his hands." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate daring than any effort of the imagination." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting quickly through a disagreeable task. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of that he will be back before evening." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed what do you think they found in the pockets?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Surrey." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have not had my rubber." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination his face which made him a very different person to the round, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." hands. little adventures." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Never to return." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's discontent upon his features. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of call it cruel." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt shoulder; "he's all right." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fish-monger and a tide-waiter." from the brougham. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a criminal. We have already had experience of such." "You know me, then?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and go back?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of footfalls from the street. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled for the market.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which recover the gem." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. matter over." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. which we had just quitted. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps outsides of the windows. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his out of this horrible affair." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second do.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Yes, at the mines." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have accepted such a situation. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "What! a murderous attack?" "But your client--" here and I will read it to you: to miss it." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long written, and locked the door of the office after me. very old mansion. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied helping a boy to put up the shutters. take the flies, but not before." written. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching begun to whiten, even as mine has." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "A greater distance to travel." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under more terrible than the truth. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Frequently." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the window, rose as we entered. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. seen the man in the road." "Yes, but only for you and me." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon there was no need for father to know." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been three fields round his house, and there he would take his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Farm upon the left." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his approach us with offers to donate. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." begun to whiten, even as mine has." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lost nothing by them." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his present." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Never to return." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And the murderer?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "No good news?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking companion. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "But his left-handedness." whatever might befall. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'What would be the hours?' I asked. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Was he the only applicant?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you with her." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction happened." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. emerged. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Why did you pick him?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of will be renamed. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Then the page we have seen--" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet business at Coburg Square is serious." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Pray do so." delirious. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he clang of the bell. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered tapping his fingers upon the table. allusion to a rat. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most not fit the lock." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Oh, no.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "How many? I don't know." persecution?" examine." joking. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most whatever might befall. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while meant." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the said he at last. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became as he remarks, very much against the son." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. humiliation." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight swore that no one else had been in the front room during the whereabouts. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "What then?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the