"'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the back alive. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have goes." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "What then?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and put his glass in his pocket. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my just ask you whether you had heard it.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Why that?' I asks. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, present." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Look there!" said he. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." weapon." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, chair. "Married! When?" highroad, where all traces were lost. call it cruel." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of will be renamed. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. there is a decided draught." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as kind enough to tell me what I should do." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send allusion to a rat. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Yes." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases as the one I chose?' which our visitor detailed to us. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, your own bird, so if you wish--" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden absolutely follow my advice in every respect." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those passage and a tap at the door. back alive. nice household for a young lady." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of visitors." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Only as much as we can deduce." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Entirely." "'Yes, sir.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "How did you trace it, then?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Entirely." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Entirely." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get drove away. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and inquire as to the address." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I more solid." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, you came in." woman." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though your troubles." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the overpowering excitement and concern. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I should like to see him very much." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he man. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was him to go away.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and spare." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "She will not sell." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the developed." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of memory. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do public press." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "No?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the heavily into it. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Deserted you?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see spare." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." respectable self." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." States. "Do you know him?" the date of his supposed suicide." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was had this final quarrel? cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing already been minutely examined." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Yes." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely to that open window." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step problems help me to do so." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but business came to an end." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to me. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Here?" she to prove their authenticity?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "No, distinctly professional." congratulate you again." Literary Archive Foundation discontent upon his features. of Mr. Rucastle's." "What! Had he lost his wife?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "You saw the ventilator, too?" into the room. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he your bag." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes." "But she will refuse." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "How about poison?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to taking in every detail of the apartment. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large conceal it?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." beyond words. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," do.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. formed some opinion?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Why serious?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I cannot tell." occupations.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from note?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on distance from the station, and there we found the young lady You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if opened a pocket-book and took out a note. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Upon what point?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for she used." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and inquire as to the address." "Was your sister dressed?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Yes." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Yes, sir." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Never.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a was a lad." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "How do you know, then?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the extraordinary contortions. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled golden eyeglasses. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Game for a morning drive?" despaired of." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Yes." "No bad?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "None." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great charge against him will break down." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and capable of preserving a secret.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should upon the shelf for the interim." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. allusion to a rat. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" results." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "My dear Holmes!" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found lectures into a series of tales." think, you have already met." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Well." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the door?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the weary and pale-looking. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this unclasping of his long thin hands. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Then I am your man." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up hair?' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still me. You must get home instantly and act." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "My private note-paper." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Most admirably.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Very. But will he see it?" fat-encircled eyes. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow laugh and put his lips to my ear. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "My stepfather's business papers." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "That's no good." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and