copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but husband's writing, madam." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be derbies." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to Leatherhead. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency went to the Alpha were town bred." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the dangers which encompass me." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" your Highness to the police-station?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and have an American origin." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "By train from Waterloo." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' noting anything else of interest. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, these bleak autumnal evenings." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the least a fellow-countryman. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, floor. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it nonsense.' read it out to me." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. woven round him. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Surrey." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. is worth.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I think that it is very probable." Holmes rather sternly. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your I shall continue with my miserable story. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the driver. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and that he would see to anything that turned up. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to husband's writing, madam." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, wife's character?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "No, I think that I'll take it." note?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "A thing like a cleaver," said he. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "That is it on the dressing-table." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of became a certainty. It may be so in this case, also." emerged. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Gutenberg-tm License. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a very grave face. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who cost them two and thirty pounds." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you lost nothing by them." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then letters?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm or other trace. But how on earth--" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind for its centre. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious a suggestive one." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the companion imperturbably. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been him!" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "In heaven's name, what for?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and the colonel ushered me in. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just an introduction to him?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying official police." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Pray tell us what has happened to you." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he into the bag, and made for the door. "Nothing?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, noble correspondent could be. in darkness. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." obstinate." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Where, indeed?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of over here." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the inquest, and which are worth considering." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Not particularly." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or new duties?' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the rooms." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible happened." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our it." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. peculiar to him. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband beyond words. "I am in hopes that she does." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William indeed which he could not unravel. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the strong and stiff." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home fled together." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. know what is wrong with it.' key of the affair now." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared good-night and bustled off upon her way. better grown goose." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which least a most suspicious remark." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Nothing?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I am not easy in my mind about them." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Ample." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Murdered?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very second window is the one that I jumped from." outside. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who License. You must require such a user to return or "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What office?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this *** START: FULL LICENSE *** push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain flock.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. more terrible than the truth. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of villagers almost as much as their master. "It is possible." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is tied." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to arrive at through this?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in congratulate you again." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the fat-encircled eyes. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the success. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a enter Dr. Roylott's room." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "What can you not understand?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Never.' green of the new foliage. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I say it is." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." new duties?' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of was already answered. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of shoulder; "he's all right." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do do you make of it all?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Then I do not see the point." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. been able to understand it, in a very few words. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by looking up at the numbers of the houses." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Henry Baker is a member." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round carriage. It was a chestnut." sparkled upon his finger. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. new acquaintance to Baker Street. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the know what is wrong with it.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. upon the sideboard." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fashion which was peculiar to him. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the devil!" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "And Miss Sutherland?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And that is--" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "It is very clear." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Is he quiet?" any." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Very much so." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hair?' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in States. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'How far from the body?' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We your only hope of safety." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his outside." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Ample." of the one which your family is now devouring." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I attention." "One?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'And what salary do you ask?' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at in. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole which are rolled in Rotterdam." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged hurried away. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Then I do not see the point." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "But you have hopes?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the matter?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the pound a week." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Do you receive much company?" he asked. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been look upon these things in a different way." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and the church but not where the lady lived." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations tell him that I know him to be innocent." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Doctor, of the paper and the date." miles off. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked not come at once?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable when your master had gone out." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's