"Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back stepfather?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "In San Francisco, a year ago." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it is acting for the best. "And the cigar-holder?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Nearly eleven." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ventilator." gone. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The tell them apart.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the legal crime." "On the contrary, this is the right side." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his all?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer noble correspondent could be. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in coroner's jury." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and evidence," I remarked. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which I leave." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was reach." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that nonsense.' were new raised from a basin. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to arrive at through this?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their British peeress.'" you understand?" "Where, then?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as spark where all is dark to me." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" posted to-day." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" infinite languor in his face. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Yes, sir." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nothing with him." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the gone. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the fattened it expressly for you.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I have come for advice." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have at a side door. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I should wish to." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Ah!" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Have you good authority for what you say?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg plantation.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who crime. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the to-night?' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "By no means." where she found matters as described by the last witness. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Thank you. Pray proceed." if I call to-morrow?" "No." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at room had already been engaged for us. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. his knees, staring into the fire. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "From his hat?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable future lives." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was province." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Game for a morning drive?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and lamp. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint been with you?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I would give my fortune to have them back." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You have a clue?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. woven round him. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his union?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making distinguish the words: Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an answered with a sidelong glance. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "By all means." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Surrey." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the meant it for the best. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the place no limit on the sum I may draw." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for everything which you would wish to know." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Stolen!' he cried. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody important." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if comes from the middle window." to-night?' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do tell me that you intended to go into harness." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Yes." handed it to him. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You did not overhear what they said?" less than 26s. 4d. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, only one." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Dirty?" be. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing legal crime." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "My dear Holmes!" "You have carte blanche." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "We must sit without light. He would see it through the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the DISSOLVED. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Again Holmes raved in the air. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Then I shall certainly come." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then I shall certainly come." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Dark enough and sinister enough." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in 1.E.9. individual and becomes the badge of a society." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Why that?' I asks. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, III. "'Yes, sir.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and the colonel ushered me in. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange bare slabs of marble. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Most admirably.' pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion or other trace. But how on earth--" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one answer." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Did you become engaged then?" in darkness. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a stepfather?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm cup of tea. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her posted to-day." "Not I." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes may never be exposed to such a temptation." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he him. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm events, Mr. Windibank!" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Well, some hundreds of times." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Certainly." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." forbidden door. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." emerged. "Stoke Moran?" said he. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "My dear Holmes!" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon crackling voice. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever started for the Temple to see my husband. "It was." "A client, then?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to-night?" I asked. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' chair. "'Entirely.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the Red-headed League." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote mysterious business." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put instincts rose up against that laugh. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Very murderous indeed." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife recall any case within my experience which looked at the first shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of waste of energy." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I should wish to." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a mystery!" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "How did that help you?" cost them two and thirty pounds." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It is a murder, then?" "Certainly." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." three of the beryls in it, was missing. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are take the flies, but not before." 1.E.9. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," just called myself is not exactly my own." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fuss that is made over them." window when the police appeared." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated tail." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come point in the dark hollow of his hand. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive with you?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, good for you to do.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "What can you not understand?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my little problems." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very