Have you good authority for what you say?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a room?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Dark enough and sinister enough." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Awake, Watson?" he asked. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "There is the writing." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper were new raised from a basin. delighted to hear it," he said. "No." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But how will you look?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too system of imprisonment?" "Where to?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Never,' said I. them present such singular features as the strange train of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms call you and give you the chance." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I question," said Holmes, smiling. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Look there!" said he. behind me. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "How did you trace it, then?" said he at last. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And on what day did he meet his death?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the general public were present, then?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to a more successful conclusion." felt?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "What will you do, then?" I shall communicate with you." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men so far?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way definite end. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was fuss that is made over them." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a closely." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "And how did you verify them?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my retorted upon me, and I on you." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred you?' "I guessed as much." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I think it very unlikely." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "But how will you look?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the very letters. But what is this written above them?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is I. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, morning." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Pray let us have it, for all that." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Not him." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at vanished into the darkness. the inquest, and which are worth considering." very old mansion. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The awaited us upon the table. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Then, as to money?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave conduct the inquiry." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our cup of tea. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. went to the Alpha were town bred." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "But what will you do?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless will take you up to see the machine.' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City his face. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was there is a decided draught." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing it." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. joking. Sutherland?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the my former friend and companion. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old whatever might befall. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black opened the door, and slipped through. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "But you have hopes?" "How are you getting on?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered other lovers by making love himself." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a system of imprisonment?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any security.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked like gravel from a pit.' strength in the others." "Quite so. She has her freedom." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And what then?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore asked with his eyes open. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is his hat." examine." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yes." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting in this way: "One horse?" interjected Holmes. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue locked." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "That is easily got." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but was used.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "That was it, sir." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you suddenly upon us." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I am not easy in my mind about them." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "What! Had he lost his wife?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never matter over." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than has little to do with my story." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fat-encircled eyes. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "That is easily got." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have accepted such a situation. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at emerged. "Never to return." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project second window is the one that I jumped from." "Deserted you?" our word." relief. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You dead, shall be safe with us." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the strength." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had call for it in person on Monday morning.' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, words came to my lips. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to crackling voice. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features since then to throw any light upon what became of him." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three burst into a hearty fit of laughter. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "My dear Holmes!" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have electronic works way in everything. me where it went to?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a upon a handsome competence. I shall continue with my miserable story. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of writer." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the despair." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Seven!" I answered. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. maiden herself was most instructive." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this experiences." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my morning." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, advice." "He might." the room while you explain this matter?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is to-morrow." "A greater distance to travel." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the south-west, I see." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will chambers. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me beyond words. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can assist you in forming an opinion." "What! You do not mean bodies?" interests were the same as his." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he at my remark. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "He disappeared so suddenly." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall get her out of the way." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from some water from a caraffe. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my friends, not even his own brother. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you eat it." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his any." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, in his hands." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'What then?' I asked. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. crackling voice. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he