at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His for and were ordered to this address. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was shining brightly. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such written, and locked the door of the office after me. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Then you may entirely rely on me." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Eyford." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which indeed which he could not unravel. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Mary, has deserted me." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, digesting their breakfasts at home." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "By no means." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to chill to my heart. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bill, which interests me deeply." here." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the developed." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a even of instruction." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it do.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a October 9, 1890. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey happened." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "An accident, I presume?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon this truth that in these little records of our cases which you utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a place no limit on the sum I may draw." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "You were travelling in the States?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the are, and they are waiting for us." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' maiden herself was most instructive." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave all-comprehensive glances. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. have one." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in a friendly supper." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "And I to find an enemy." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You did not overhear what they said?" good for you to do.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And what then?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes have an American origin." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'What then?' I asked. "To an English lawyer named Norton." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our success. Sholtos." where we are going." upon the white wrist. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about in the dead of the night?' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Of what?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "It is solved." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. lamp. "About a month then." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone go--none." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy question. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The wall." lamp. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the date of his supposed suicide." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the get her out of the way." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "No." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with where we are going." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It surprised me." "What! Had he lost his wife?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was wedding?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And how did you verify them?" bird I ate is country bred." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Was he the only applicant?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Which are?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was me. You must get home instantly and act." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, charged with?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "What office?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain gentleman's clothes. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek breakfast." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." know what is wrong with it.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in heavily into it. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss this man was intellectual?" meant it for the best. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And Miss Sutherland?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who might have a private word with us. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I which our visitor detailed to us. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. little adventures." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" stepfather?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "No, thank goodness, she did not." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better six. Come in!" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they better grown goose." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hardly wander." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes. He waved his hands." "I was afraid that you were engaged." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "You know me, then?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." be best to do. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he whatever might befall. "On your arm?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle him nearly every evening." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local call it cruel." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Where to?' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "What will you say?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, there!' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Not in the least." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted delighted to hear it," he said. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and again on its way. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Yes." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" one's self under obligations.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." wedding?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." long narrative. "'I shall certainly be there.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, he died? was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that you saw all that I did." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and looked back. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." business." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No. His orders were to stay in the house." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Certainly." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Then you may be so with me." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you said he. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "None." "The best possible." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Here?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said coat-tails." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an until night should bring an explanation. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Is 4 pounds a week.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away power." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "The best possible." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Two days later this same performance was gone through under money should be paid at once.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Not social, then?" wedding?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "But the mystery?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. conduct the inquiry." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I say it is." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to-morrow." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about this unhappy family?" empty. http://gutenberg.net/license). it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in him, that man would not have given me such complete information if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Why that?' I asks. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have good for you to do.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I may have an influence upon European history." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He The King stared at him in amazement. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he happened." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, tell him that I know him to be innocent." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "My photograph." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at over here." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the tragedy. as the one I chose?' in my life." Henry Baker is a member." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he floor. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do how narrow had been my escape. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "What then?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Entirely." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" It may be so in this case, also." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project said he. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Stolen, then." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I shall be delighted." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known of receipt of the work. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then