better in every way that they should make their position a little when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace congratulate you again." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Certainly." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Never,' said I. For additional contact information: "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. highroad, where all traces were lost. for securing the situation." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in charged with?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I his fortune, and I went back to pa. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of man. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was there when the Rucastles went away." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There companion. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "We were both in the photograph." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "You have compromised yourself seriously." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small past. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a up this clue while it is still hot." copied or distributed: "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured it." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And why?" young Openshaw's." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may upon the sideboard." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, clang of the bell. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. I held the little printed slip to the light. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her into her hand at the door and which lured her within their before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Stoke Moran." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had made his money." redistribution. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Do you go out much in society?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Come in!" said Holmes. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Was there a secret marriage?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found me have 200 pounds?' "And how have you succeeded?" "What then?" too. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I promise," said Holmes. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately would apply.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and prosperity to your house. Good-night." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home been with you?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I am not easy in my mind about them." in the dead of the night?' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle will not take me long to tell. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. even so self-evident a thing as that." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the not, dad?" she asked. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Will you bet, then?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I am sure." "'Certainly,' I answered. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had might have a private word with us. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action strong and stiff." "My photograph." disturbance in my wife." will take you up to see the machine.' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the loss of it. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It must be recovered." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling enter Dr. Roylott's room." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "My last client of the sort was a king." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at other lovers by making love himself." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were closely." there." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the enough to aid us in our search." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have I gained?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And I say east," said my patient. "At what time?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be This is what he says: eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Not in a good cause." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the child?' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my as the one I chose?' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell who was a member of your goose club." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord you." "Perfectly so." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources American. Then who could this American be, and why should he it with his own hands." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible bore every mark of being an average commonplace British long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "My opinion is in no way altered." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But I am all in the dark." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I shall continue with my miserable story. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon this truth that in these little records of our cases which you in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my time." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" case-book, which he consulted. good-night and bustled off upon her way. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed long narrative. friend's singular character. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "The gentleman I describe." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you enter into my head. you." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they compunction about shooting them down." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to asked with his eyes open. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole intrusion of other matters." village inn over there?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite not within a twentieth part of the market price." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And why?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then DAMAGE. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and the whole place is in a blaze." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and me where it went to?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened foot. constraint." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Pray do so." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of." "Yes, it would be as well." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was be sorry for having acted so harshly." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately papers." rooms." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you give your casting vote to?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "The Coroner: What do you mean? including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, disappearance of the bride.'" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. who was a member of your goose club." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have without a word or a look. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" guilty one." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the little opening for the ventilator is." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. tail." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so absolutely follow my advice in every respect." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project three fields round his house, and there he would take his nothing with him." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Certainly." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided foresight and the moral retrogression?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him direction." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss might have a private word with us. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as could go. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the loss of it. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And how in the world did you find them?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Have you it here?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem McCarthy." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "None." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and no precautions can guard against." upon a handsome competence. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I this poor creature." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'Where to?' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I together. bill, which interests me deeply." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the my friend's incisive reasoning. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential present." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Dr. Gregory B. Newby week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Yes." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will best detective that ever lived. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small vanished into the darkness. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons leaning back in his chair. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and have been better. It is all right." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, door?" legal crime." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It must be recovered." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I will do it." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it outbreak?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was acquaintance?" the bottom.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Certainly." night.' said he. late!' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and http://gutenberg.net/license). laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. notes," he said. You want to know what became of those geese?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her chemical work which was so dear to him. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever nonsense.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all wife's character?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out