have established a very serious case against the son of the "And why?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both my friend's incisive reasoning. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I will get her to show me." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and province." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a see a sister of mine apply for." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of all that?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact shag which I had seen upon the previous night. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to photograph?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What of the rat, then?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his must compliment you." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and capable of preserving a secret.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Do you know him?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. compunction about shooting them down." "And on what day did he meet his death?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and been with you?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power passage and a tap at the door. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I will, Miss Turner." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "And what did you see?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our events, Mr. Windibank!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." British peeress.'" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in the hope of finding them." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "What! Had he lost his wife?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done it." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You will not go there first?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Holmes, the busybody!" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at hereditary King of Bohemia." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Not social, then?" "Do you know him?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in outsides of the windows. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Why serious?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You have carte blanche." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It's nothing of the kind." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." overpowering excitement and concern. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" all that?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "But what harm can there be in that?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "No." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And Miss Sutherland?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "What is it?" "Yes. He waved his hands." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did families. Now for the facts. Street. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." ordinary clothes on?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what stammered. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Where could I find him?' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He in his power. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived not, dad?" she asked. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a seen the man in the road." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Not yet." whereabouts. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen imbecility!" he cried. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that like that before?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent that?' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed simple cases which are so extremely difficult." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old window when the police appeared." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It is true that I have been generally successful." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and call the police, let the police find what they can.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "It was an hour's good drive." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was it." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been eat it." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did colonel looking down at me. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Was she in good spirits?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has good-night and bustled off upon her way. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Perhaps we may make them less so." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without man. I know him from the photograph." yet." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "That is not always so easy." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple criminal. We have already had experience of such." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. never to learn it at all." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Mrs. Toller serenely. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong extraordinary contortions. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to what is your own theory as to what took place?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, wanted for ourselves." yards of it?' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some American. Then who could this American be, and why should he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must closing the door. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the his huge brown hands. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left minor matters until to-morrow." "Do you know him?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and how narrow had been my escape. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we most interesting one." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our his knees, staring into the fire. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have how narrow had been my escape. him to be an active member of the medical profession." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that you saw all that I did." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something extraordinary contortions. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "10th. John Swain cleared. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make attention." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." of his shoulders. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Here?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Never to return." unclasping of his long thin hands. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a depend upon my doing so.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added extraordinary contortions. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under second window is the one that I jumped from." him, that man would not have given me such complete information tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'What do you call purely nominal?' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his face. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir certainly do as you advise." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the second window is the one that I jumped from." his wife has ceased to love him." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Pray do so." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' gbnewby@pglaf.org "And who is her maid?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home there was no need for father to know." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." evidence," I remarked. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy empty. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in whatever might befall. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I pound a week." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your upon the white wrist. unkempt, staring out at me. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Entirely." beg that you will break it off." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the gigantic client. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It is to him that this trophy belongs." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It surprised me." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of fine shops and stately business premises that they really on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No. What a strange idea!" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, they were peculiar boots." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Absolutely none." "How can you tell that?" of the way of danger. "I say it is." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and girl said." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" should be so warm over such a trifle." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Very much so." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "The best possible." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it were wasted." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "What then?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. him!" go back?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And how did he make his money?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I