blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." persecution?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "You don't mind breaking the law?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I will get her to show me." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "And what did you see?" father's young wife. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "She walked into the breakfast-room." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, I have it here in my museum." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have seen the police." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "What can it mean?" I gasped. joking. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "What can it mean?" I gasped. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly door?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for most interesting one." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt walking." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ways including including checks, online payments and credit card cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his his cane at the bell-pull. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of desk. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Oh, fresh and glossy." floor. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you their singular warning or token before them when starting upon your billet.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a into the bag, and made for the door. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds works. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I shall most certainly do so." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You infinite languor in his face. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United green of the new foliage. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, awaited us upon the table. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'You cannot say what it was?' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the loss of it. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Sutherland?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet gone. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon God! What an exposure! What can I do?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "He slept on the premises." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "You don't mind breaking the law?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed your Highness to the police-station?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hurried by. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. cost them two and thirty pounds." "What then?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss there in twenty minutes." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. good-night and bustled off upon her way. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and woman." handed it to him. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But you have hopes?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the station." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one secret." "It surprised me." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a tell them apart.' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All questionable one." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and I shall be with you presently." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and effective." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "None." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. o'clock is it?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lectures into a series of tales." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that article?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, correct than the official force." and your relations to her." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, least a fellow-countryman. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the night.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Then the page we have seen--" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Perhaps I have." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Then what has happened to him?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "In which, sir?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "My dear Holmes!" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love The telegram which we eventually received came late one night wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lost his Christmas dinner." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "What steps will you take?" I asked. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has she might be summoned. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "My opinion is in no way altered." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call about. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Then the page we have seen--" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it recover the gem." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. married her." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in His name is Francis Prosper." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is careless servant girl?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Not in a good cause." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I am all attention, madam." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? relief. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out very peculiar words of the dying woman?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful leaning back in his chair. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself this remarkable episode. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "He said that you could solve anything." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical which should have the effect of calling the attention of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. him." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed retorted upon me, and I on you." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "But what will you do?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is upon a handsome competence. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Then I shall certainly come." highly," said Holmes. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." were unconscious?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch floor. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the morning and make my own way in the world.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face gigantic client. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Certainly." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I prisoner's face. to surprise her." waste of energy." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Certainly, madam." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate his huge brown hands. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Indeed! Whose, then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I am to be neutral?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the bottom.' suddenly upon us." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and effective." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, extraordinary contortions. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Can I be of assistance?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hair?' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "What then?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. that he will be back before evening." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had ran thus: the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cost them two and thirty pounds." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had you." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest some city in a dream. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "And what did you see?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Yes." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Ample." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a down. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his will he say when he returns?" do you make of it all?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite four million human beings all jostling each other within the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "But how?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining