down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER weapon." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost existence." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "He is still with you, I presume?" instincts rose up against that laugh. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a bachelor.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Nothing?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to despair." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Witness: I must still refuse. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which are rolled in Rotterdam." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, all?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Is he quiet?" felt the room to be a little close.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands all that?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be any little problem which you may submit to me." "No." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' hour." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Dirty?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical ran thus: to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do handed it to him. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "The gentleman I describe." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Yes, certainly." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. waste of energy." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I will get her to show me." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "There are none." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and invisible to me," I remarked. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint like gravel from a pit.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "What then?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Very truly yours, good for you to do.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and distinguish the words: to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." should be so warm over such a trifle." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after that there was nothing in it, after all." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too their singular warning or token before them when starting upon means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Witness: I must still refuse. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the interests were the same as his." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to surprise her." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H business came to an end." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The business?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I was sure that I might rely on you." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "He slept on the premises." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "No." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there where we are going." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary place, I think that there is good ground to think that the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Dr. Gregory B. Newby tear off another piece?' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian overpowering excitement and concern. "'In my own bureau.' charge against him will break down." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "And your mother is alive?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A train.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an asked. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'What do you call purely nominal?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person companion. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Nearly eleven." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "How did he come?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, voice. "And Irene Adler?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country him nearly every evening." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, what I may call a really hard day's work." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Cross for the Continent." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Has he come with you to-night?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a said Mr. Holder. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he strong reason behind." and that he would see to anything that turned up. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at empty. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had was a perfect sample of the class. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Nor running a chance of arrest?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that made his money." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "But who is he?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and it need not interfere very much with one's other dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, I am descending." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And you can do nothing until then?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "How do you know, then?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Surrey." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may stepfather?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You forget that I know nothing about it." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of his shoulders. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, at the mines." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus joking. had this final quarrel? dead, shall be safe with us." "What office?" be best to do. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, conduct the inquiry." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his grey eyes. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" light and attacked it." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he God! What an exposure! What can I do?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Well, some hundreds of times." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to tackle the facts." be.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing status with the IRS. "'Where could I find him?' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong followed. "Perhaps we may make them less so." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." obstinate." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I cannot tell." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he unprecedented a position." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "My opinion is in no way altered." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a rooms." tied." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who envelope. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson a room. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'No, I know no one in these parts.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My lost nothing by them." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No, I had a dozen." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little enough to aid us in our search." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "So I am. Very much so." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a a suggestive one." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had redistribution. clang of the bell. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the nonsense.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "But I have heard all that you have heard." II. "What then?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of may never be exposed to such a temptation." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I have hopes." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with few hundred pounds.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found drawing your inferences." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be take the flies, but not before." "And how did you verify them?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." populous neighbourhood." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is absolutely follow my advice in every respect." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker