in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate anything to a woman, for she would have her way." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end like gravel from a pit.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. you came in." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. been deceived." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Leadenhall Street--and--" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this generous with you in money matters.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Get out!" said he. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the obstinate." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that hour." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes, it would be as well." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card may never be exposed to such a temptation." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was flock.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am that get the tickets." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless few hundred pounds.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible meant." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" occupations.' next day. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of address. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. clang of the bell. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when used to be." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your direction." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Very good.' "But of what society?" crime. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See ashen face. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." back alive. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His 1.E.9. hair?' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "My dear Holmes!" crime. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small weary and pale-looking. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. see a sister of mine apply for." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Which are?" miles off. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Then what has happened to him?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It is very kind of you." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of this gang." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "No, distinctly professional." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have conduct the inquiry." "I should be immensely obliged to you." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "None." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Miss Holder?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in mystery." "The Cedars?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Yes, sir.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out not as remarkable as your advertisement." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who strange features which were associated with the two crimes which not, dad?" she asked. some terrible trap for her." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I see no marks." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the bird of prey. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at begin with, and I had not got mine yet." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "You did not overhear what they said?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But down. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not constraint." "'About the same.' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Stoke Moran?" said he. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Then he might have called to you?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am fatally injured? "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds may have an influence upon European history." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Stolen." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in cigars in the box." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his there was no need for father to know." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "No legal papers or certificates?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "No?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yesterday." amused." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the charge against him will break down." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Then, how do you know?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is suspect him." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to that open window." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" room?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, tension within him. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I answered that I had not. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He appointment with me for six o'clock?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of it with the greatest attention. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out fear." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I would give my fortune to have them back." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." so far?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. The events in question occurred in the early days of my nice household for a young lady." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "But you were on a friendly footing?" fled together." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning burst out into a roar of laughter. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Very murderous indeed." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Eh? What was that?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" companion quietly. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn past. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "She will not sell." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Game for a morning drive?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, entirely devoid of interest." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a must be when I saw the door open.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock dramatic, in fact." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a to take care of herself." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you lectures into a series of tales." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." again." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fluttered off among the others. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Yes." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "How did you trace it, then?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her this as likely?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible floor. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you understand?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." conceal it?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "On the contrary, this is the right side." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to husband's writing, madam." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I shall be delighted." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to crime." Countess of Morcar's?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Do you receive much company?" he asked. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came corner of the building. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Certainly." narrative." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my is a common subject for conversation. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I cannot tell." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and have this put in the evening papers." "But you were on a friendly footing?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation of." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Ah!" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I say it is." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the very letters. But what is this written above them?' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "In San Francisco, a year ago." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Why? What do you mean?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Did he not advertise?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Eyford at 11:15.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. empty. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I was afraid that you were engaged." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural obstinate." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "She showed me, as I told you she would." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Yes, at the mines." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from towards the blaze. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He slept on the premises." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I cannot tell." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up most important business. It is probable that he will be away all alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner indeed happy." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "But what will you do?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew rat could hardly pass through." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. lamp in his hand. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "In answer to an advertisement." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full sufficient punishment." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I was concerned in it." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the loss of it. of your young ladies.' Miss Holder?" gone. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his have an American origin." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the tragedy. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It is a murder, then?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "But if he is innocent, who has done it?"