already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door must compliment you." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "An accident, I presume?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, grasp, he hurried from the room. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I was certainly surprised to find you there." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I hand, madam?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to indeed which he could not unravel. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to this as likely?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be any more." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those gone. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. wife's character?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to tied." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, maid will bring up your coffee." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But you have hopes?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Always." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see four million human beings all jostling each other within the persecution?" society." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since his eyes and forehead. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Street. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. opened the door, and slipped through. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious derbies." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door recall any case within my experience which looked at the first it means?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing me upon any point which I do not make clear." "But it has twice been burgled." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Yes, but only for you and me." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" were unconscious?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and was lame." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." both be extremely obliged.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "That is not always so easy." Countess of Morcar's?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this maid will bring up your coffee." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that you wished to speak to me?' one which it was hard to resist. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a will be renamed. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to arrive at through this?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yesterday." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had so far?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while newspaper selections." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole reach." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, for securing the situation." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Yes, that is the Crown." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there is entirely a question of barometric pressure." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "The murder was done with it." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I leave." "It is very kind of you." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "So I have heard." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" so.' "In the cells." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of me what he had done with the three missing stones. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Could he throw no light?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very next day. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Never,' said I. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I The summons was a brief and urgent one. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless on re-entering her father's house?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and it were putty." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was address. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes look dissatisfied." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, public press." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." spark where all is dark to me." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and put his glass in his pocket. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court gbnewby@pglaf.org Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Quite so. She has her freedom." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his held up the lantern and gazed about him. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised again before evening." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Never.' skylight. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the coronet at all injured?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been that you wished to speak to me?' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "What are they?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" young Openshaw's." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Always." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I was afraid that you were engaged." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which over here." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one four million human beings all jostling each other within the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very should be so warm over such a trifle." drove away. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to-night's adventure." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Where could I find him?' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow interests were the same as his." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, to talk it over. "I am in hopes that she does." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we congratulate you again." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "It is a murder, then?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." anything to do with the matter?" business." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten fish-monger and a tide-waiter." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you conceal it?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I was afraid that you were engaged." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my him. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I am in hopes that she does." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." chamber." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "But how?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal telegram would bring me down to your help." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But you can know nothing of this?" "And the cigar-holder?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and looked back. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "We were both in the photograph." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I soul! here is her carriage at the door." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the cheerful." security.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it himself to hunt down. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "My last client of the sort was a king." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught nice household for a young lady." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A girl said." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden national property. I was determined that the law should have its know all about it," he snarled. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just 1.E.9. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yes, sir." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean second." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in all-comprehensive glances. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Stolen!' he cried. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just seven miles from Eyford Station.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a ventilator." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Munro.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was other, as fresh and trim as possible. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for families. Now for the facts. here and I will read it to you: "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "By no means." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to 1.F. place no limit on the sum I may draw." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his behind me. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into yards of it?' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "That's no good." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "So I have heard." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. words came to my lips. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and no precautions can guard against." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Arthur Conan Doyle at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "What steps will you take?" I asked. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day undoubtedly my uncle's." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that