pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the do.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet husband's writing, madam." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to is a common subject for conversation. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What do you mean?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to girl said." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become what these perils are?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I think that I could be of assistance to you." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Never." "Witness: I must still refuse. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dates and names. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Where to?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in the dead of the night?' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured existence." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'About the same.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And your mother is alive?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the are, I think, all that we need." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in points to suicide?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I have seen the police." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not head. So long, then!" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by there was no need for father to know." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Holmes' thin, eager face. know all about it," he snarled. "Ah!" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Yes, it was twisted." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Nothing." way in everything. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. little adventures." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers wedding?" maiden herself was most instructive." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Pray do so." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "In heaven's name, what for?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no help us in this matter." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "How many? I don't know." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as stalked out of the room. burst out into a roar of laughter. my little problems." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" foresight and the moral retrogression?" which was all perfectly true. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I train.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." friends, not even his own brother. closing the door. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Edgeware Road. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the running down." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk works. See paragraph 1.E below. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes interest. They are important, you understand, without being flock.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Pray do so." 1.E.9. "But how did you gain them?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to take care of herself." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Ah!" certainly not very gracious." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "My Mary? Impossible!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "What! Had he lost his wife?" closely." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "One of his hands." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, she might be summoned. him!" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Stoke Moran." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "At half-wages, in fact." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits will find little credit to be gained out of this case." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Where is it, then?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "A thing like a cleaver," said he. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I am to be neutral?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the The events in question occurred in the early days of my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Who was the criminal, then?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he yet." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Dr. Gregory B. Newby singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it." "What have you to say now?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the coronet in his hands?" "It certainly sounds feasible." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the o'clock is it?" "Why did you pick him?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock examine." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or records." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband are, and they are waiting for us." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "What can you not understand?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to that open window." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Whose house is it?" followed. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you said he at last. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square some water from a caraffe. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they she might be summoned. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his appeared upon the scene." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. London for the present?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Yesterday." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle will find little credit to be gained out of this case." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises everything which you would wish to know." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I shall most certainly do so." ashen face. to tackle the facts." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. drove away. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I am still in the dark." "But how?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "ARAT," I read. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Then what has happened to him?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "What of the rat, then?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." late!' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And how did you verify them?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how a room. individual and becomes the badge of a society." province." followed. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in rat could hardly pass through." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in my friend's incisive reasoning. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of there has been an enclosure here!" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "You have it, sir, just as it happened." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed swore that no one else had been in the front room during the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Witness: I must still refuse. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the date of his supposed suicide." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George morning." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "But you would not advise me to refuse?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, business." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of the vacancies.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the himself. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be future lives." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and all of them with the keenest interest. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "But she could not love him." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square quick march!" morning." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the ceiling. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it over here." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" see a sister of mine apply for." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced 'please.'" open." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Have you her photograph?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "No sign of it?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your once more for Briony Lodge. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I am about to be married." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a strong and stiff." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." My friend smiled. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the bill, which interests me deeply." "What shall I do?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Witness: Nothing definite. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "VIOLET HUNTER." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "May I see it?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Nothing." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was once confined in the cab my mission was practically into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Never." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working