upon a handsome competence. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Countess of Morcar's?" very old mansion. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are over his head with a sweet womanly caress. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him chemical work which was so dear to him. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a detained." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "And I say east," said my patient. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "It was." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "How can you tell that?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so him. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as stalked out of the room. Project Gutenberg-tm works. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of window when the police appeared." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was shining brightly. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is," said he presently: week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." husband's writing, madam." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as appointment with me for six o'clock?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you understand?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can prisoner's face. "That also I could fathom." "The murder was done with it." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It must be recovered." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner opportunities to fix the problem. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have get the tickets." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Why, what do you mean?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite The events in question occurred in the early days of my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his knees, staring into the fire. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." for securing the situation." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." round and wave him away like that.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, outside." this unhappy family?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads better grown goose." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Texas, I think." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any be.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Pool. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that see a sister of mine apply for." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Here?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about grasp, he hurried from the room. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen again." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project my former friend and companion. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I or other trace. But how on earth--" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Who by?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "My last client of the sort was a king." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in this unhappy family?" business in the City. She little knew what. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate drawing your inferences." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "What! a murderous attack?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Where, then?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, have accepted such a situation. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' shaken than I had ever seen him. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after directly by questioning you." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' address. upon the shelf for the interim." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and capable of preserving a secret.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other fire. You quite follow me?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Game for a morning drive?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Then I shall certainly come." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were breakfast." eavesdroppers?' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "May I see it?" "One of the highest in England." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. enough to aid us in our search." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "This photograph!" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing shoulder; "he's all right." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her returned to France?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a residence of the great financier. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, it." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' one of them." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every all-comprehensive glances. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I say it is." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Did you observe the colour?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, be best to do. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with you came in." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No more words. Get out!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that companion. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a felt?" DAMAGE. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, hour." certainly not very gracious." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very had died away into the silence from which it rose. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "But she could not love him." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the with her." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, which it had come upon my father." said I. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the dangers which encompass me." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried companion imperturbably. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Very good.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his ventilator." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Upon what point?" "And how have you succeeded?" public press." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the side-table." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "And now?" I asked. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the room while you explain this matter?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this letters?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and that he would see to anything that turned up. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not noting anything else of interest. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and shall probably return to London by the evening train." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with might have a private word with us. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly fishes. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a mysterious end." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'And the work?' than to us. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Entirely." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And from a noble client?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You horrify me!" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker directors have had misgivings upon the subject." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "But I am all in the dark." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Yes, that is the Crown." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Where could I find him?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." could gather together that I was able to avert another public multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, of receipt of the work. "'As governess?' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Certainly not. But why?' do.' chance." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cup of tea. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Yes, sir." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It is half-past ten now." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in fluttered off among the others. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran handed it to him. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room during which he might have communicated with his friend the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to best detective that ever lived. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you than to us. promised to bring home. This is what he says: Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Thank you. And your address?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I cannot say that I have." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the window when the police appeared." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it he bowed and left the room without another word. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the telegram would bring me down to your help." was shining brightly. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the room had already been engaged for us. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the stable lane now." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock it right.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself fluttered off among the others. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my asked. morning." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into