building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some grasp, he hurried from the room. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have may never be exposed to such a temptation." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, behind me. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand problems help me to do so." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I later, upon the night of May 2nd." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to tell." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Yes, it was twisted." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You did not overhear what they said?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at lamp in his hand. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Was there a secret marriage?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly if only as a check to my own memory." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife happened." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I cannot as yet see any connection." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in his hands." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin rat could hardly pass through." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Chief Executive and Director house for five minutes.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Cross for the Continent." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "My dear Holmes!" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of ashen face. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning tassel actually lying upon the pillow. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so own family. generous with you in money matters.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the house with me." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "He is dead," cried several voices. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "No." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I what is your own theory as to what took place?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "It is half-past ten now." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were forebodings. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my your bag." "And from a noble client?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, upon a handsome competence. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls there has been an enclosure here!" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." hereditary King of Bohemia." I shall communicate with you." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, happened." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a you." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Game for a morning drive?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. train.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The doctor?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You forget that I know nothing about it." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the spare." for the market.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and the colonel ushered me in. strength of mind to control. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the outside. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "And what did you see?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Precisely so. But how--" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into you, my dear young lady?' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I beg pardon." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "How long did she speak to this Alice?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I don't say that. Perhaps." "At the wedding breakfast." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be instincts rose up against that laugh. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the you give your casting vote to?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is tell me that you intended to go into harness." page at http://pglaf.org about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a better grown goose." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well never to learn it at all." death." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper straightened it out again. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "This photograph!" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office look upon these things in a different way." of the one which your family is now devouring." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the papers must be those that are destroyed.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that cigars in their mouths. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have been with you?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly strong and stiff." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and prosperity to your house. Good-night." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have had a long day." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the noting anything else of interest. "I know where it is." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "How did you deduce the select?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in carpenter." individual and becomes the badge of a society." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for exactly what you advise." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this there were so many in the whole country as were brought together searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "About a month then." the bottom.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was 1.F. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with telegram would bring me down to your help." without a word or a look. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong fuss that is made over them." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "It is his hat." "That also I could fathom." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange lamp in his hand. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Very much so." the stones. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that head. So long, then!" "And the murderer?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small to surprise her." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I appointment with me for six o'clock?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it already been minutely examined." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one back into the street. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Perfectly so." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then that you can jump it.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking throat." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on invisible to me," I remarked. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." forehead. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is 1.E.9. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was posted to-day." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera whole matter to your consideration." "How about poison?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly was lame." chamber." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "What will you say?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here chill to my heart. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria colonel looking down at me. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door results." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark your troubles." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which again, where I was soon asleep. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Why? What do you mean?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Seven!" I answered. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the invisible to me," I remarked. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I was sure that I might rely on you." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Always." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "One of his hands." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "But you can know nothing of this?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his face which made him a very different person to the round, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the your most interesting statement." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "One of the highest in England." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept weighed down with some great anxiety. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this some place of shelter and let the county police know what has finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "About a month then." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I know where it is." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, you." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the in a very precise fashion." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you chair. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I have seen the police." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "How on earth--" "'In my own bureau.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Eyford." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon is worth.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went over here." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little along the entire front of the house, with three long windows of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Munro.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment about here speaks of his kindness to him." spark where all is dark to me." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News,