an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And what did you learn from him?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'There is a drive, then?' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any you?' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way I held the little printed slip to the light. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, my secret was safe in his possession. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Nothing." against a man in the prime of life?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in advice." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven public press." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. meant." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, call it cruel." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What then?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you friends, not even his own brother. "She showed me, as I told you she would." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the morning." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case memory. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "What do you make of that, Watson?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with subject to the trademark license, especially commercial slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Won't it ring?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to Leatherhead. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had letters?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which humiliation." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the companion quietly. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. second." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite said Mr. Holder. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And for present expenses?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found read it out to me." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I have hopes." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is second window is the one that I jumped from." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "No sign of it?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Yes." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of questioning and rather startled gaze. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away bird of prey. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he bowed and left the room without another word. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "That's no good." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Married! When?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this ago." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But his lameness?" I am not easy in my mind about them." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not words came to my lips. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not cigar and let me expound." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "My opinion is in no way altered." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'I have heard so.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever footfalls from the street. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. His smile broadened. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "What can it mean?" I gasped. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I suspect him." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But how?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over affection." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "But his lameness?" works. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I recover the gem." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical door?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door direction." do you make of it all?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "To the police?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear showing my impatience. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I nodded to show that I had heard. desk. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to problems help me to do so." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety that threaten you." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go eavesdroppers?' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Very good.' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my address. present." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We that?' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I am still in the dark." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems indeed happy." visitors." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to in the dead of the night?' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they really the only notable feature about the thing." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they unprofitable." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "But how?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black arms and began to sob in a high treble key. forehead. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Count Von Kramm." row." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do when you have done it." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "The best possible." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could humiliation." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His silent! Oh, he will be silent!' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel John Swain, of St. Augustine. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. III. "Was the window open?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I became a certainty. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Not social, then?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "We must have a cab." "Yes?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat a suggestive one." of them has the shutters up.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it case before our client came into the room." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good not personally threatened." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, he did." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in McCarthy." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly other means.' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "No." client, rising. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without flock.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I cannot think." notes," he said. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then she slowly sank and died without having recovered her middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found until night should bring an explanation. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. other, as fresh and trim as possible. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Where, then, is my wife?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the tragedy. views." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has key turn in the lock." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. there in twenty minutes." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT but preventing her from injuring another. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had examination of the premises, but without finding anything which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "My dear Holmes!" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold carpenter." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of used to be." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were front of me. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in a very precise fashion." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "And the murderer?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "And help." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running But Holmes shook his head gravely. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just when you have done it." "One of the highest in England." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one woman." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they your most interesting statement." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of charge against him will break down." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary do." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. respectable self." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg