set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw society." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes, all." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." appeal." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, do." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You horrify me!" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to-morrow." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, of the way of danger. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at upon the sideboard." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what is your own theory as to what took place?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I would give my fortune to have them back." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the matter?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have way in everything. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "No, I am descending." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought introspective fashion. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" security.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "This photograph!" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to already referred to. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He question," said Holmes, smiling. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it about. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar a monotonous occupation." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand an introduction to him?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate him nearly every evening." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "To an English lawyer named Norton." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, guilty one." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You have compromised yourself seriously." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." at a side door. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I am about to be married." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every possible that we could bring him back to her? down. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I himself. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass directly by questioning you." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a bill, which interests me deeply." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would some mystery and the punishment of some crime." recover the gem." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my former friend and companion. been with you?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cheerful." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he be best to do. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I assure you that I am in your hands." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Could he throw no light?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, me." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It's nothing of the kind." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the devil!" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy unprecedented a position." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and highly," said Holmes. ordinary clothes on?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more ashen face. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter chemical work which was so dear to him. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You know me, then?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness chambers. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from meant." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches vault. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly point our research must commence, and we will begin it by had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after lamp. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I will try. What is it?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more were unconscious?" up this clue while it is still hot." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to tackle the facts." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley him." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop swore that no one else had been in the front room during the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his sneer upon his pale face. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Never." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" or other trace. But how on earth--" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "But of what society?" "Yes, it would be as well." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And help." "But we can't all be." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had than to us. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there voice, changing her seat as requested. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I about here speaks of his kindness to him." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "If I can be of use." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I said he at last. unprofitable." distinguish the words: take the flies, but not before." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness strength in the others." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while you found me to-night--and running through the front room she police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." fire. You quite follow me?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. prepare for the new role I have to play." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length fear." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. point in the dark hollow of his hand. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Surrey." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do ways of our fellow-men." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. already referred to. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Whose house is it?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he mystery." "Breckinridge is his name." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was very old mansion. out of this horrible affair." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "On the contrary, this is the right side." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Whose house is it?" sufficient punishment." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Not social, then?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more overpowering excitement and concern. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I am still in the dark." wall." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at any more." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had flock.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. daring than any effort of the imagination." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It missed him, then?" grasp, he hurried from the room. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, soul! here is her carriage at the door." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the face and glided from the room. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I am still in the dark." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, tapping his fingers upon the table. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I have a cab outside." at a side door. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Really! You surprise me." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Was your sister dressed?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I cannot tell." "Yes, from Horsham." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "You think so, too?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these questioning and rather startled gaze. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "And how did you verify them?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. do.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband might help us?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "What then?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called once more on the important position which you have been fortunate fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and prosperity to your house. Good-night." of Mr. Rucastle's." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Then I shall certainly come." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would as noiselessly as she had come. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was