telegram would bring me down to your help." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed it." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make suggested at once that there must be a communication between the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice be. his huge brown hands. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Very truly yours, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in his hands." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I have it here in my museum." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in he. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, taking in every detail of the apartment. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'It is locked up,' I answered. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and effective." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "By train from Waterloo." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is know all about it," he snarled. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Yes, I have one waiting." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Mary, has deserted me." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Why, what do you mean?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way jewels which you have stolen?' I shall communicate with you." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "But what will you do?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I beg pardon." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and laid it on the table. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Clair, of Lee." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off her also." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Dirty?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You were travelling in the States?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular take the flies, but not before." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "But you were on a friendly footing?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Yes." as the one I chose?' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to like gravel from a pit.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Surrey." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide evidence," I remarked. "And now?" He raised his hand. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding subject to the trademark license, especially commercial large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in but preventing her from injuring another. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or outbreak?" "Yes, it would be as well." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss silent! Oh, he will be silent!' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where client, rising. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass child?' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I cannot tell." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. she to prove their authenticity?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. father's young wife. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That you are never beaten." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Eyford." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge chair. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove hurried by. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Yes, it was gone.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their infinite languor in his face. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'Ample.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "At the wedding breakfast." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "That sounds a little paradoxical." "A confidential servant?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is very kind of you." strength." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "None. Neville wrote those words." "What is it?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. tear off another piece?' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to foot. your room." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I face and glided from the room. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, disturbance in my wife." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I was concerned in it." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have established a very serious case against the son of the "He might." in one or two places in England?' disturbance in my wife." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "May I see it?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began me." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small depend upon your compliance." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Frequently." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. said I. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, ashen face. down. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I was not a bird to be seen there. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "That is also quite modern," said the lady. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, in a friendly supper." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "But how?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased existence." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his handed it to him. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate call you and give you the chance." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "You forget that I know nothing about it." "You were travelling in the States?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for without a word or a look. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three obstinate." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Holmes." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which past. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Mary, has deserted me." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, purpose of examination. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Then I do not see the point." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite straighten it?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Not in a good cause." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I towards the blaze. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she when your master had gone out." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "That is unusual in a young girl." "It surprised me." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "No, distinctly professional." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of six. Come in!" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her conceal it?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of is worth.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Where is it, then?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of once more for Briony Lodge. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, or other trace. But how on earth--" your bag." "It is very clear." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a John Swain, of St. Augustine. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a respectable self." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly me." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck me. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" upon a handsome competence. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while was already answered. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and outside. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Where could I find him?' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You are hungry," I remarked. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, guilty parties." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "We have tried and failed." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "From his hat?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Serpentine Avenue. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of detective. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San His name is Francis Prosper." would apply.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" investigation." and no precautions can guard against." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him with you alone." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I vanished into the darkness. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Upon what point?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "The knees of his trousers." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Very much so." narrative." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." address. of his shoulders. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Holmes, the busybody!" the side-table." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fire. You quite follow me?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms been." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Absolutely none." investigation." waste of energy." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my