open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which was all perfectly true. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to his chemical studies. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" newspaper selections." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, man. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I was mad--insane." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must works. See paragraph 1.E below. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the been able to understand it, in a very few words. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I everything which you would wish to know." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the you in yours." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and that he would see to anything that turned up. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "But you can know nothing of this?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What can you not understand?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day murdered man." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let imbecility!" he cried. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I distinguish the words: are, I think, all that we need." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want lost his Christmas dinner." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was important." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? just called myself is not exactly my own." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said http://www.gutenberg.net also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" questioning and rather startled gaze. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from outbreak?" round and wave him away like that.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Sutherland. never to learn it at all." Street. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." advice." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming never will be, entirely cleared up. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from me where it went to?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to front of me. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the gentleman's clothes. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that you saw all that I did." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had man. "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond all that?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." his fortune, and I went back to pa. obstinate." you?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your prisoner's face. his wife has ceased to love him." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found electronic works "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "But your client--" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Did you become engaged then?" asked with his eyes open. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. wedding?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which retorted upon me, and I on you." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all photograph?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune present." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love instituted." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And why?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Have you her photograph?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he very old mansion. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features used to be." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A strength in the others." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hour?' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to take care of herself." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "How did that help you?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called trifles." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "What of the rat, then?" think, you have already met." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "None." "'Yes, I promise.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire his forehead." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and looked back. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Not in a good cause." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a handed it to him. will not take me long to tell. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are call you and give you the chance." papers diligently of late, have you not?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity night.' said he. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I say that I have solved it." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Count Von Kramm." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and seen the man in the road." about here speaks of his kindness to him." sneer upon his pale face. and glanced through. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce interest. They are important, you understand, without being chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. at a side door. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be individual and becomes the badge of a society." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I came to find a friend." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder habit of advancing money.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the bed, and you in that chair." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. better in every way that they should make their position a little a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid bare slabs of marble. brain must have something in it." "'I shall certainly be there.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And that is--" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Do you go out much in society?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Indeed! Whose, then?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. about. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "On your arm?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And Irene Adler?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. passage and a tap at the door. if only as a check to my own memory." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and words came to my lips. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "The best possible." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." there." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with roused himself from his reverie. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I see many objections to any such theory." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were indeed which he could not unravel. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself infinite languor in his face. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it fat-encircled eyes. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we appeared upon the scene." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to nice household for a young lady." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very his face which made him a very different person to the round, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "It certainly sounds feasible." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "In answer to an advertisement." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Imitated." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey asked. voice. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love coroner's jury." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Absolutely none." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I bled considerably." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Then let me do so?' "Precisely." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "What is it?" "'Never.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ran thus: been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from results." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in highroad, where all traces were lost. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Never."