as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him stalked out of the room. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "But I am all in the dark." she used." DAMAGE. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of." there." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much character. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It must be recovered." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Your presence might be invaluable." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. upon the shelf for the interim." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "He slept on the premises." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, whereabouts. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Do you receive much company?" he asked. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. page at http://pglaf.org empty. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I never have." "'And what salary do you ask?' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his he bowed and left the room without another word. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. written, and locked the door of the office after me. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Heh?' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Where, then, is my wife?" chill to my heart. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "He might." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My me upon any point which I do not make clear." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I awkward doing business with an alias." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Well, some hundreds of times." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I shall continue with my miserable story. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" ordinary clothes on?" DISSOLVED. people don't know." presented more singular features than that which was associated destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee wedding?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "I cannot say that I have." "That is not always so easy." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too have an American origin." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about some water from a caraffe. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" even of instruction." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been from the brougham. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our was a loud and authoritative tap. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Then I do not see the point." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Why that?' I asks. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But once more. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "By no means." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of our word." "Never." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but was a loud and authoritative tap. "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into impression behind it as though a window had gently closed one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I you, my dear young lady?' "No, I had a dozen." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Again Holmes raved in the air. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY you in yours." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Stolen." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Was he the only applicant?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself morning." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a more solid." "What! a murderous attack?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think again before evening." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and to-night's adventure." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I together. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Why that?' I asks. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'And what salary do you ask?' already been minutely examined." "'Certainly not. But why?' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no when your master had gone out." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email held up the lantern and gazed about him. "And how have you succeeded?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I say it is." "'I am sure that I do not know.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe fear." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in union?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in daring than any effort of the imagination." room?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'And what salary do you ask?' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, joking. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to upon the shelf for the interim." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Nearly eleven." "And sit in the dark?" "Your presence might be invaluable." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant overpowering excitement and concern. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to some other building. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it closely." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'How far from the body?' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Project Gutenberg-tm works. him nearly every evening." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Heh?' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'How far from the body?' foresight and the moral retrogression?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "So it appears." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the your bag." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and lamp. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Entirely." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. shoulder; "he's all right." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which habit of advancing money.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "By all means." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or conclusions. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it have an American origin." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Pray do so." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers other, as fresh and trim as possible. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week them?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and that he would see to anything that turned up. official police." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his relief. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "And I to find an enemy." "Your presence might be invaluable." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in photograph?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better presented which may be striking and bizarre without being She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible as he folded up the epistle. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much never came back." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I feature." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "How often?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was putting in the horse. "No bad?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can shoulder; "he's all right." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "At what time?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of against a man in the prime of life?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of I took the paper from him and read as follows: returning from some small jollification and was making his way circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Very much so." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even done what I asked you, Jones?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Where, indeed?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his The King stared at him in amazement. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Pope's Court, Fleet Street." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and all of them with the keenest interest. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do are, and they are waiting for us." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Look there!" said he. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no trifles." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Yes, he did." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different woven round him. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated this unhappy family?" "None. Neville wrote those words." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." heavily into it. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Never,' said I. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the devil!" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever