"That's no good." "It missed him, then?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of man. I know him from the photograph." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the companion imperturbably. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But it has twice been burgled." get the tickets." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears depend upon my doing so.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic time." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds could gather together that I was able to avert another public Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. envelope. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair seem to you to be relevant or not." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences opportunities to fix the problem. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Indeed! Whose, then?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You horrify me." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Not yet." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that which our visitor detailed to us. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." ourselves in the office." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the sooner or later she must fall a victim. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went that the gas is not laid on in his house?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "At the wedding breakfast." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And what did you learn from him?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, himself to hunt down. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as he. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that emerged. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and into the room. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the photograph?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; be. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram young Openshaw's." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Yes, that is the Crown." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the enter Dr. Roylott's room." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled papers." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "He disappeared so suddenly." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" gone before you can get him to hospital." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "In answer to an advertisement." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Not particularly." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." been with you?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he trying to your nerves." there is a decided draught." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the inquest, and which are worth considering." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "My dear Holmes!" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, beg that you will break it off." "Yes." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Certainly,' I answered. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated you." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps corner of the building. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is papers." "'As governess?' mystery!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were in darkness. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with States. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I will do it." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the general public were present, then?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Well?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I do." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Then I am your man." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. affection." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I see no marks." detective. "But how?" directors, with the result that you have seen." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Certainly." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an danger is over." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project married her." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of the one which your family is now devouring." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I must compliment you." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Do you go out much in society?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I am to be neutral?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with weigh very heavily upon my conscience." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the lamp. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their business." time." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not point our research must commence, and we will begin it by stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Was she in good spirits?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she without success. At last the little money which I had saved began In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "What! a murderous attack?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and a shock of very red hair. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this had died away into the silence from which it rose. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers paper in the air. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which was a perfect sample of the class. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and this poor creature." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having about here speaks of his kindness to him." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "But who is he?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own know what is wrong with it.' "I should wish to." "'How far from the body?' fait accompli?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Certainly not. But why?' "'What, the red-headed man?' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to indeed happy." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." observed. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "None." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has views." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. and put his glass in his pocket. "'Yes, sir.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. sneer upon his pale face. taking in every detail of the apartment. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up certainly not very gracious." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "No, I am descending." Leadenhall Street--and--" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Sutherland. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And that is--" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Indeed! Whose, then?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the just called myself is not exactly my own." bachelor.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "A client, then?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which late." room. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Pray do so." "And what did you learn from him?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so tied." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in a very precise fashion." "Yes, I have one waiting." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Never." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "What will you say?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then he might have called to you?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But he might be a bachelor." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to pictures, libraries, or plate. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that is acting for the best. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass questioning and rather startled gaze. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his certainly do as you advise." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no quickly through a disagreeable task. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who during the last few years, and there are many noble families to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The said he. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that you can jump it.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as of it with the greatest attention. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But who is he?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and ago." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon help us in this matter." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to coat-tails." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, one of them." hand, madam?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away tell me that you intended to go into harness." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might article?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began business." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" with the outside air!" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." behind me. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid own family. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural know all about it," he snarled. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I fear not." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Texas, I think." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be derbies." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little