the Friday. Was it to be in church?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I am to be neutral?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story into the bag, and made for the door. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "10th. John Swain cleared. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," guilty parties." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the running down." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Holmes." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of III. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading before the coroner and the police-court." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to talk it over. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out spark where all is dark to me." himself in a perplexing position. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of you for a few hours?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly unclasping of his long thin hands. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the that I can to serve you." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I have my revolver," said I. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue individual and becomes the badge of a society." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the hands. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had prepare for the new role I have to play." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said habit of advancing money.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off any more." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly hopeless attempt at recovering them." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes, sir." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 what these perils are?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his money should be paid at once.' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I leave." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some at a side door. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "How often?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You are hungry," I remarked. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the night.' your only hope of safety." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, overpowering excitement and concern. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yesterday." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Entirely." "How did you deduce the select?" "'Yes, sir.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking me where it went to?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Where could I find him?' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond signal between you and your father? ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that before taking the final step I should like to submit the together. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "The knees of his trousers." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." learned something! Where are the gems?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very or other trace. But how on earth--" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Holmes' room. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Certainly." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Witness: It was. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good at home. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, ceremony." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the get her out of the way." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." him to go away.' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and look upon these things in a different way." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "At what time?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with yourselves in at night?" placed his cuttings. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the date of his supposed suicide." "In heaven's name, what for?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten yourselves in at night?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My opinion is in no way altered." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. notes," he said. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, not fit the lock." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, morning." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had affection." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is charged with?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began me." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning directly by questioning you." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was money should be paid at once.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "No, finished." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." your equipment. was a perfect sample of the class. standing smiling on the door-step. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them them?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small obstinate." matter over." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "How many? I don't know." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Why, what do you mean?" be.' "What of the rat, then?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both jewels which you have stolen?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable she used." as this. Pray let me have the details." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is knowledge of the world." is four-and-twenty." "'Yes, sir.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open burst into a hearty fit of laughter. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "One of the highest in England." call for it in person on Monday morning.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for any little problem which you may submit to me." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "No, thank goodness, she did not." amused." "No." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it carpenter." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, had picked up in the wood. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might there." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped again." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined business." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It is a murder, then?" "Why serious?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" this as likely?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and footfalls from the street. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately himself in a perplexing position. one of them." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office such attractions and accomplishments?' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his better grown goose." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so read it out to me." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Where is it, then?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Murdered?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "May I see it?" than was visible to me." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of the one which your family is now devouring." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, maiden herself was most instructive." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "A thing like a cleaver," said he. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as me upon any point which I do not make clear." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, against a man in the prime of life?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "That is it on the dressing-table." think that he is innocent?" "'I am sure if I had known--' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of ceremony." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Tired-looking or fresh?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I shall continue with my miserable story. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even our word." it." "Quite so." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It missed him, then?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did someone who had been in Australia." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a door?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was will not take me long to tell. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, next day. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" standing smiling on the door-step. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." visitors." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest go back?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he know that the truth is known." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you some water from a caraffe. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Not particularly." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." call it cruel." My friend smiled. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open strength in the others." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Ample.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I cannot tell." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate