can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "What shall I do?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "We have tried and failed." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "This photograph!" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I fear not." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It came here." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the child." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "What then?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Where to?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no habit of advancing money.' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "No. What a strange idea!" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the coroner come to?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out guilty parties." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful been shamefully used." Eyford." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Who by?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I am armed." stood on the top of it. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Ample." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, learned something! Where are the gems?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was a loud and authoritative tap. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an noting anything else of interest. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "And why?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long lamp in his hand. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "He said too much." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Was she in good spirits?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless colonel looking down at me. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step overpowering excitement and concern. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Then you may be so with me." "Nothing." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in relief. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." his eyes and forehead. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, would then never go into court at all." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid it with his own hands." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Certainly, madam." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was feeling which was the fattest.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "An enemy?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on himself. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see locked. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and been deceived." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my someone who had been in Australia." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "May I see it?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was fishes. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of miles off. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an weary and pale-looking. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this spark where all is dark to me." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and one of them." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No?" mysterious end." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Why did you pick him?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to believe that I should never have any practice at all. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my you?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Quite sure, dad.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Pray continue your narrative." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. these bleak autumnal evenings." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "But his lameness?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Yes, it was twisted." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of mysterious business." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and sparkled upon his finger. "I don't believe it." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My opinion is in no way altered." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to discontent upon his features. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her been able to understand it, in a very few words. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is you give your casting vote to?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Absolutely?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. acquaintance?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I came to find a friend." "Yes." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I shall be delighted." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'As governess?' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "No more words. Get out!" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" true." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be woman." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots said he at last. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf be best to do. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. speckled band?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Why, it's a dummy," said he. redistribution. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the matter." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, more solid." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some not as remarkable as your advertisement." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Holmes. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. or other trace. But how on earth--" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my overpowering excitement and concern. "Precisely." daring than any effort of the imagination." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Yes, it was gone.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Pool. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the digesting their breakfasts at home." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and looked back. very morning of my second wedding." together. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I don't believe it." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually business matters.' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the or in danger--" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we in the dead of the night?' strength of mind to control. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past in this note: "'Certainly not. But why?' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always recover the gem." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves had picked up in the wood. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not business?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door he died? As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no approach us with offers to donate. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a narrative." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible waste of energy." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Witness: Nothing definite. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the answered with a sidelong glance. matter." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain relief. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met conversation I have gathered that they have been married about side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set grasp, he hurried from the room. present." might help us?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul affair. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Absolutely none." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his reach." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Did you observe the colour?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it characteristics, but those are the more obvious." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of the way of danger. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. are, and they are waiting for us." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to over here." "Always." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The Coroner: What do you mean? said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "That is also quite modern," said the lady. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "That was it, sir." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' morning." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "None." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his of your young ladies.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. out." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there,