dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell tell him that I know him to be innocent." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' with the outside air!" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I nonsense.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to that you wished to speak to me?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy not interfere, come what may. You understand?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Can I be of assistance?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "No good news?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. served to weaken the effect. me have 200 pounds?' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless crackling voice. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "What are they?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to-night?" I asked. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Edgeware Road. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It is possible." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late made him keep the appointment." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was nonsense.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." night.' said he. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his face which made him a very different person to the round, way: Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the examine." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin affair. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "He might." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned union?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'Very good.' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it States. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the side-table." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," what I may call a really hard day's work." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate digesting their breakfasts at home." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it." jewels which you have stolen?' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the mysterious end." ran thus: girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off upon the sideboard." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "What, then?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Chief Executive and Director "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray which our visitor detailed to us. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have papers." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "No legal papers or certificates?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure pity, because in other respects you would really have done very than to us. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Oh, no.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that discontent upon his features. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Thank you. Pray proceed." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there official police." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know unkempt, staring out at me. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I fear not." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might during which he might have communicated with his friend the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has furiously. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I have a cab outside." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." nonsense.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "None." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Entirely." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the Red-headed League." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'And the work?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. own family. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his late!' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the said Mr. Holder. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the electronic works will he say when he returns?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter again, where I was soon asleep. yards of it?' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You have it, sir, just as it happened." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I am sure." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, sir." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" empty. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Holmes, the busybody!" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. desk. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock mysterious business." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. me have 200 pounds?' attention." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all seven miles from Eyford Station.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "10th. John Swain cleared. "Do you know him?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "But it has twice been burgled." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." McCarthy." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to did not hear it also.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place http://www.gutenberg.net believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake my room." "None." "She told me to ask you." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, business?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "If I can be of use." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the so-precious time, but come!' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I highroad, where all traces were lost. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Where is it, then?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is very clear." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Deserted you?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I should wish to." "No." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "And I." whole matter to your consideration." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as comes from the middle window." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I am following you closely," I answered. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which said Mr. Holder. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom himself in a perplexing position. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss During two years I have had three consultations and one small them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land when you have done it." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight certainly do as you advise." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I am all attention, madam." already referred to. within hail.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of south, for the country is more deserted there." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that there was nothing in it, after all." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just there in twenty minutes." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to strong reason behind." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Does that suggest anything?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "She told me to ask you." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the address that was given us in the advertisement. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate if she died from some sudden fright." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary as this. Pray let me have the details." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the strong reason behind." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to cup of tea. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "What then?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a stepfather?" straightened it out again. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I say it is." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But what is it you wish?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in