we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls John Swain, of St. Augustine. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to visitors." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and the colonel ushered me in. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Holmes, the busybody!" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Yes, it was twisted." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had forebodings. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I will not take me long to tell. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical his grey eyes. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Pope's Court, Fleet Street." ran thus: screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, sir." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' him." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every appeared upon the scene." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Yes, certainly." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes, it was twisted." "There is the writing." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. help us in this matter." which it had come upon my father." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as maiden herself was most instructive." fat-encircled eyes. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Not him." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cost them two and thirty pounds." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault awaited us upon the table. "9th. McCauley cleared. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical behind me. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Yes, but only for you and me." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how strong reason behind." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. begun to whiten, even as mine has." his wife has ceased to love him." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Perhaps I have." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Was she in good spirits?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. digesting their breakfasts at home." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'I have already given you my word.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, His name is Francis Prosper." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'Yes, it was gone.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was more terrible than the truth. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his fasten all the windows?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I am not easy in my mind about them." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Come in!" said Holmes. of campaign. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to Leatherhead. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "What then?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Have you good authority for what you say?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts as he remarks, very much against the son." looking up at the numbers of the houses." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, returning from some small jollification and was making his way of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the matter." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Never." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the tragedy. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Frequently." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It came here." "And why?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day colonel looking down at me. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem place, I think that there is good ground to think that the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and beyond words. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "How many? I don't know." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in could gather together that I was able to avert another public the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new distinguish the words: that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess it means?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It looks newer than the other things?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon intrusion of other matters." business came to an end." "What do you mean?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before page at http://pglaf.org ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY about. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Have you her photograph?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of certainly not very gracious." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Do you know him?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had prove to be little relation between the different incidents of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "None. Neville wrote those words." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he only touch the interest." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but whether it answered to the description of any of their copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the child." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of house for five minutes.' suddenly upon us." several quiet little villages up there." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to change my dress. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. colonel looking down at me. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. them present such singular features as the strange train of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "And you thought he was pulled back?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the driver. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be front of me. "No." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises read over the extraordinary announcement. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that indiscretion." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, woven round him. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the bed, and you in that chair." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his McCarthy." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You will not go there first?" chair. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "What can it mean?" I gasped. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ventilator." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Nothing." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting bed dies. Does not that strike you?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Dark enough and sinister enough." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him It may be so in this case, also." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet voice, changing her seat as requested. friend's singular character. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding corner of the building. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very enough to aid us in our search." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea beyond words. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I don't believe it." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Entirely." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been business matters.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and conceal it?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, washing it down with a long draught of water. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without for and were ordered to this address. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came undoubtedly my uncle's." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming carriage. It was a chestnut." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from in this way: "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, hands. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs outside." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less new duties?' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Eyford." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous