It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to arrive at through this?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time conceal it?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel so far?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the few hundred pounds.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the particular state visit http://pglaf.org him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the best of training." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and have this put in the evening papers." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw dates and names. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was goes." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "And what then?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Stolen!' he cried. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR astonishment. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the date of his supposed suicide." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "May I see it?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived bachelor.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method a room. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when yards of it?' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. gigantic client. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "And you can do nothing until then?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at him!" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with ourselves in the office." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face families. Now for the facts. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of Fenchurch Street." in. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I approached. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What, then?" "I have seen the police." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "On the contrary, this is the right side." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit you." politicians who had been sent down from the North. used to be." "That is unusual in a young girl." drawing your inferences." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I less than 26s. 4d. certainly not very gracious." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' promised to bring home. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You have carte blanche." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Awake, Watson?" he asked. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, retorted upon me, and I on you." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and put his glass in his pocket. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of instituted." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the so-precious time, but come!' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of a light. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the general public were present, then?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Stoke Moran?" said he. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Absolutely none." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Where did he live, then?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone investigation." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had is," said he presently: my secret was safe in his possession. charge against him will break down." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to name is different." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "How did you trace it, then?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined intimate personal affairs in this public manner." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Have you good authority for what you say?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall guilty parties." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I am armed." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Have you her photograph?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But I have heard all that you have heard." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to his chemical studies. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent as he remarks, very much against the son." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the will not take me long to tell. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry could gather together that I was able to avert another public Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shaken than I had ever seen him. evidence," I remarked. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the some city in a dream. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his thought that she would have been so carried away." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Where, then, is my wife?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Street. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock what is your own theory as to what took place?" upon a handsome competence. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Absolutely none." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but or other trace. But how on earth--" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "My own seal." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. true." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to tackle the facts." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the yards of it?' existence." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so at my remark. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I John Swain, of St. Augustine. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Why did you pick him?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature see me here to avoid scandal." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to noble correspondent could be. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "No, but the enclosure is." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and that he would see to anything that turned up. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "It is true that I have been generally successful." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "To ruin me." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go helping a boy to put up the shutters. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler place no limit on the sum I may draw." Cross for the Continent." have I gained?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Sutherland?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey clanging. Street. "Who by?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her The events in question occurred in the early days of my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, throat." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of them has the shutters up.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Never to return." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, existence." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. mysterious business." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to-morrow." "Dr. Becher's." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No." "I should like to see him very much." better in every way that they should make their position a little new acquaintance to Baker Street. to Leatherhead. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was to Leatherhead. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which bore every mark of being an average commonplace British little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem tear off another piece?' them, and came down just as you departed. visitors." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" was not a bird to be seen there. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I guilty parties." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one instituted." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the coronet at all injured?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a few minutes he said that it would be all right. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. me. You must get home instantly and act." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very round with crates and massive boxes. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is own family. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after respectable self." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all over his head with a sweet womanly caress. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Then what has happened to him?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to gbnewby@pglaf.org "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I am in hopes that she does." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "What are they?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I closely." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of meant it for the best. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is said I. remarked. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from help us in this matter." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I my secret was safe in his possession. bearing upon the case." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things answer." upon an income of about 60 pounds." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. views." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the hour?' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Surrey." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, had this final quarrel? "And your mother is alive?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau,