pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering asked with his eyes open. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been new duties?' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But you have hopes?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yesterday." IS As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his carpenter." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Countess of Morcar's?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And your mother is alive?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as he folded up the epistle. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Certainly not.' coroner's jury." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "In which, sir?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind depend upon your compliance." "I cannot imagine." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Have you it here?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the general public were present, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR experiences." "But who is he?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the I am not easy in my mind about them." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside salesman. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Young McCarthy must be got off, however." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your me where it went to?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office suspect him." "So I am. Very much so." when you have done it." "What! a murderous attack?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "That is it on the dressing-table." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This he died? writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward all that?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that figure." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "If so, much may have happened between." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the him, that man would not have given me such complete information and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, events, Mr. Windibank!" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "10th. John Swain cleared. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now photograph a cabinet?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small purpose equally well?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an certainly do as you advise." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the loss of it. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my may never be exposed to such a temptation." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to guilty parties." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a me where it went to?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. chemical work which was so dear to him. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, questionable one." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are shoulder; "he's all right." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." retorted upon me, and I on you." that he has suffered." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "How do you know, then?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but note?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And why in hopes?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Nothing." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "What I expected to see." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion heavily into it. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my friend's incisive reasoning. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I was mad--insane." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. prisoner's face. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a coat-tails." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange outbreak?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have someone who had been in Australia." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Was she in good spirits?" "Then you may be so with me." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Witness: I must still refuse. affair. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the house with me." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest in this note: he bowed and left the room without another word. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Not him." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Deserted you?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to conclusions. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he cause to be." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in to-night?' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of note-paper. It read in this fashion: was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but read it out to me." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." a room. appeal." "My Mary? Impossible!" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Pool. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That also I could fathom." promised to bring home. should be so warm over such a trifle." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I cannot say that I have." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place and wait." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the bell. Holmes whistled. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I should be immensely obliged to you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "That's no good." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But you can know nothing of this?" "Nothing?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good go back?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, with you?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an tied." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in ashen face. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of newspaper selections." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed him, that man would not have given me such complete information during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain address. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Holmes. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less at my remark. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to kindly on the shoulder. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. The King stared at him in amazement. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for them?" few hundred pounds.' in one or two places in England?' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the some city in a dream. "It came here." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms there!' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to go into your room and bar your shutters?" important." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And have established a very serious case against the son of the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "By train from Waterloo." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully client, rising. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I cannot think." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the it. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes, sir." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Is purely nominal.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here anything to do with the matter?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Certainly." this man was intellectual?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it at a side door. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no 1.F. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should business matters.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in the hope of finding them." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the within hail.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'And what are they worth?' I asked. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Absolutely none." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Ample.' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "But what will you do?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a