"I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "It was." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." yet." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "In answer to an advertisement." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The occurred." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And I to find an enemy." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my should be so warm over such a trifle." them present such singular features as the strange train of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Munro.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. some city in a dream. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door is acting for the best. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible call you and give you the chance." went to the Alpha were town bred." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No, my brougham is waiting." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Stoke Moran." all that?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You heard nothing yourself last night?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Where did he live, then?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "What shall I do?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Her father is very rich?" said he. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Married! When?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding cheerful." lamp in his hand. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and for securing the situation." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves colonel looking down at me. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has such person." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a matter." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fishes. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "In San Francisco, a year ago." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I am armed." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong disturbance in my wife." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "You don't mind breaking the law?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up village inn over there?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to writing, and yet I know it well." "That was it, sir." rose-bushes. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You are hungry," I remarked. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And the cigar-holder?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in darkness. get the tickets." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It goes to the housekeeper's room." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. hard-headed British jury." said he. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly him, that man would not have given me such complete information details." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the already referred to. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a cause to be." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "But he might be a bachelor." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a http://gutenberg.net/license). Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Well, some hundreds of times." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in interested in these little problems, and since you are good lamp. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Your presence might be invaluable." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "What can it mean?" I gasped. Holmes' thin, eager face. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say you?' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." both be extremely obliged.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I nodded to show that I had heard. clanging. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Holmes' room. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. helping a boy to put up the shutters. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! hair?' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they maid will bring up your coffee." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. a little more before I quite committed myself. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" had this final quarrel? spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "No, thank goodness, she did not." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Perhaps I have." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'I shall certainly be there.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which more terrible than the truth. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Sholtos." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the back to my heart. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the For additional contact information: possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to awkward doing business with an alias." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? she might be summoned. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Dr. Gregory B. Newby thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices grasp, he hurried from the room. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of ourselves in the office." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "How are you getting on?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' all-comprehensive glances. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "How about poison?" once more. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the bed, and you in that chair." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted outside." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send your troubles." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the Red-headed League." foresight and the moral retrogression?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What I expected to see." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no spare." "One of the highest in England." "I have hopes." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we system of imprisonment?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Here?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "So I heard. You have him here?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, think that he is innocent?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" intrusion of other matters." 1.E.9. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. unkempt, staring out at me. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up rooms." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the little opening for the ventilator is." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, light and attacked it." "That was it, sir." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the opened the door, and slipped through. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "What will you do, then?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "What is it?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any or in danger--" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it when your master had gone out." "But we can't all be." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the window, rose as we entered. "Stolen." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'And the work?' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always an introduction to him?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the Red-headed League." you, my dear young lady?' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Sholtos." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my memory. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of ways of our fellow-men." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She The summons was a brief and urgent one. that there was nothing in it, after all." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "So I heard. You have him here?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Why, what do you mean?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the Assizes." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously your equipment. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to some other building. the running down." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes, but only for you and me." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "But the mystery?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the child." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over are, I think, all that we need." "'Yes.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not chance at all." outside. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the very morning of the wedding." fattened it expressly for you.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I held the little printed slip to the light. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "To an English lawyer named Norton." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and appeared upon the scene." himself to tell his story. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Where, then?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Nothing." "Then, as to money?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid