"Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an business at Coburg Square is serious." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to at home. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Where does the thing come from?' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I think it very unlikely." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he outside." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." village inn over there?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But them?" "'Which dealer's?' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the matter?" directors, with the result that you have seen." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Yes.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had about. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for me have 200 pounds?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, wedding?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her crowd. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "What have you to say now?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You did not overhear what they said?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fact, we may call it conclusive." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It is possible." "Pray do so." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in them present such singular features as the strange train of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to-night." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few could go. attention." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the stones. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a whole matter to your consideration." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has evidence," I remarked. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Yes. He waved his hands." "And when will you call?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in my life." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I will do it." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his footfalls from the street. pictures, libraries, or plate. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. unkempt, staring out at me. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by whatever might befall. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Gutenberg-tm License. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you writers could invent nothing more crude." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The King of Scandinavia." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the Red-headed League." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, key of the affair now." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The note was undated, and without either signature or address. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not within a twentieth part of the market price." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by obstinate." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, lamp in his hand. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper may never be exposed to such a temptation." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "The doctor?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "What! Had he lost his wife?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Imitated." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Do you go out much in society?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. for and were ordered to this address. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your lost nothing by them." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No, distinctly professional." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. conclusions. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation will find little credit to be gained out of this case." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I shall communicate with you." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, undoubtedly my uncle's." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "One horse?" interjected Holmes. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I was afraid that you were engaged." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "None. Neville wrote those words." will not take me long to tell. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in been able to understand it, in a very few words. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Why that?' I asks. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Eyford at 11:15.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Ample." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Tired-looking or fresh?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of are, I think, all that we need." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. you, my dear young lady?' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "My opinion is in no way altered." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among lumber-room." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked his cane at the bell-pull. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "And that is--" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. stood on the top of it. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I have seen the police." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It may not come to that," said Holmes. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "My dear Holmes!" outside. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for words came to my lips. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his helping a boy to put up the shutters. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small forbidden door. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the loss of it. mystery." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he attention." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Well, some hundreds of times." may never be exposed to such a temptation." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from quite distinctive." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step tell him that I know him to be innocent." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Imitated." posted to-day." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two keep the flames under. forebodings. important." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." on in his house." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his huge brown hands. Serpentine Avenue. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" one else, I think." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear burst into a hearty fit of laughter. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You are all wrong." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Look there!" said he. ways of our fellow-men." "'In my own bureau.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. tell them apart.' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of the vacancies.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Witness: It was. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the question. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a even of instruction." chemical work which was so dear to him. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was this man was intellectual?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon clanging. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. legal crime." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fattened it expressly for you.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was voice. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during geese which you supplied to the Alpha." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Stolen." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I came to find a friend." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Certainly." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You have it, sir, just as it happened." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Oh, yes, easily." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Yes, sir.' "But his lameness?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I cannot think." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he six. Come in!" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Your French gold?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she bore every mark of being an average commonplace British face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat showing my impatience. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with be there in time for your coming." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as absolutely follow my advice in every respect." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." to me. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to-morrow." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, go back?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no until night should bring an explanation. which we had just quitted. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush