take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who drove away. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "What will you do, then?" as the one I chose?' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Here?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "That is easily got." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes, but only for you and me." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to-night." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon letters?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Yes.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as know all about it," he snarled. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What can it mean?" I gasped. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the three fields round his house, and there he would take his ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Your French gold?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "A confidential servant?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters you do it in twenty minutes!' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know here." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was John Swain, of St. Augustine. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." questioning and rather startled gaze. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to other means.' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." be there in time for your coming." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a not come at once?" "And what then?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "One?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding remarked. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "How are you getting on?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But to whom?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my crime." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, lamp. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No legal papers or certificates?" detective. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." drove away. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the showing my impatience. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." noting anything else of interest. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all nice household for a young lady." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." waste of energy." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon other, as fresh and trim as possible. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "What I expected to see." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Then I do not see the point." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began said he. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any with you?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and looked back. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It it with his own hands." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to where he stood hid behind the curtain. conduct the inquiry." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Thank you. Pray proceed." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "And what then?" For additional contact information: "Was your sister dressed?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I am to be neutral?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something dates and names. "'Which dealer's?' "None." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these in a very precise fashion." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Stolen." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I introspective fashion. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Clair, of Lee." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of the vacancies.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the such person." "What, then?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'I am sure that I do not know.' enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the King without delay." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It my special province." foot. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "What of the rat, then?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing of the way of danger. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "About a month then." "Will you bet, then?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Perhaps I have." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send or other trace. But how on earth--" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other place of silver." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" down. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all cup of tea. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And it is--" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Sholtos." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he on in his house." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of could gather together that I was able to avert another public I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You horrify me." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'As governess?' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "May I see it?" "In the cells." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter records." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "My dear Holmes!" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to tackle the facts." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I was mad--insane." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall indiscretion." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Very. But will he see it?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was keenly on my guard against him. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Bought." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the to miss it." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, look upon these things in a different way." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Not yet." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a dead, shall be safe with us." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid depend upon your compliance." the coroner come to?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "It is solved." and it need not interfere very much with one's other favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. photograph a cabinet?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Not yet." "Not in the least." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, 11:15.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is second." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes, the wine-cellar." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he was used.' "Precisely." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly was not a bird to be seen there. strode off upon his way. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yes, he did." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a have established a very serious case against the son of the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug away into the river." of Mr. Rucastle's." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to arrive at through this?" I nodded again. Street. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel status with the IRS. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It call you and give you the chance." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "If so, much may have happened between." and laid it on the table.