deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you weapon." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Lee, in the county of Kent." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "What then?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It swore that no one else had been in the front room during the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not highly," said Holmes. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'Yes.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Very truly yours, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an what is your own theory as to what took place?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "We were both in the photograph." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Yes. He waved his hands." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as into the bag, and made for the door. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it right.' "'Never.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and inquire as to the address." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So father's young wife. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a girl said." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Stoke Moran?" said he. Pool. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes. He waved his hands." 'please.'" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Holmes' room. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest six. Come in!" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "So I am. Very much so." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt front of the hall door has given its name to the place. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "At what time?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Holmes." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle at my own good fortune. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, straightened it out again. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Entirely." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet presented which may be striking and bizarre without being in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his obstinate." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say detective. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "None." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Miss Holder?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Not I." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Lestrade of Scotland Yard." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." all-comprehensive glances. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ways including including checks, online payments and credit card simple cases which are so extremely difficult." do you make of it all?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. minor matters until to-morrow." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "But you can know nothing of this?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! upon the white wrist. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we asked with his eyes open. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't all that?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was interests were the same as his." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "And you don't know his address?" "Then the page we have seen--" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "That is possible." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the telegram would bring me down to your help." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I cannot tell." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Cross for the Continent." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. crowd. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I. "Why, what do you mean?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. other means.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I derbies." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Stoke Moran?" said he. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "And you thought he was pulled back?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I am to be neutral?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that disappearance of the bride.'" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo him!" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with served to weaken the effect. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And how have you succeeded?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "No." green of the new foliage. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Never to return." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered chance." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. notes," he said. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up charged with?" letters?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes, from Horsham." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, or other trace. But how on earth--" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's over part of the map. "What do you read?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from away into the river." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a more terrible than the truth. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, delighted to hear it," he said. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to arrive at through this?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary key of the affair now." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at appeal." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely notes," he said. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to congenial hunt. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert presented which may be striking and bizarre without being already been minutely examined." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment should be taken.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see breakfast." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "So I am. Very much so." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's nonsense.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Project Gutenberg-tm works. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "My private note-paper." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes. He waved his hands." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and more terrible than the truth. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "That's no good." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of entirely lost his self-respect." little adventures." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes me. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hopeless attempt at recovering them." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Quite sure, dad.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. possible that we could bring him back to her? "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where second." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in the port of London." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled ashen face. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Yes." Gutenberg-tm License. affection." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Henry Baker is a member." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" you." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and present." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Always." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "What are they?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not had a long day." to change my dress. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned you give your casting vote to?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the bed, and you in that chair." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who reach." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Sutherland?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was ourselves in the office." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that late!' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Not I." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Witness: Nothing definite. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me said he. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "My opinion is in no way altered." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his gbnewby@pglaf.org for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Ten will be early enough." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "None." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. than was visible to me." "So I have heard." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the coronet at all injured?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was States. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this something of him before." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You did not overhear what they said?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Bought." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of secret." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her