married her." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." whereabouts. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the evidence," I remarked. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with point our research must commence, and we will begin it by have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of receipt of the work. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in been with you?" as this. Pray let me have the details." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Eyford." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. wanted for ourselves." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes, it would be as well." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his prisoner's face. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Come in!" said he. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ways of our fellow-men." and looked back. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's business at Coburg Square is serious." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then you may be so with me." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Not in a good cause." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the inquest, and which are worth considering." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You have but to name it." Farm upon the left." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "She will not sell." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "That is possible." "How did you deduce the select?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And how?" in a friendly supper." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" better in every way that they should make their position a little She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "What I expected to see." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I cannot imagine." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in this way: was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only fashion which was peculiar to him. "'And the work?' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, manager. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a conclusions. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe not fit the lock." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the this unhappy family?" your only hope of safety." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the heavily into it. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know upon the white wrist. feature." "And how did he make his money?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "So I heard. You have him here?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two weighed down with some great anxiety. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "No more words. Get out!" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Was he the only applicant?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project depend upon my doing so.' like gravel from a pit.' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor copied or distributed: "My photograph." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more redistribution. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into would apply.' Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "But how?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these guilty one." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have had none more fantastic than this." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those may have an influence upon European history." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Where, then, is my wife?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And what did you see?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future existence." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread highly," said Holmes. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin way: transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her he bowed and left the room without another word. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my entirely devoid of interest." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "On the contrary, this is the right side." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, said he. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the stepfather?" corner of the building. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, dead, shall be safe with us." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Not in a good cause." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The summons was a brief and urgent one. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the approach us with offers to donate. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "To an end?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Yes, I have one waiting." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I am armed." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the flock.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" dead, shall be safe with us." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and have this put in the evening papers." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR is worth.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect other lovers by making love himself." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid public press." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. quick march!" giving me time to thank him. "Of what?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I should be immensely obliged to you." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the morning and make my own way in the world.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which nice household for a young lady." "By no means." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "One of his hands." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hard-headed British jury." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "So I heard. You have him here?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare then?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "She will not sell." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback enough to aid us in our search." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause with you alone." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me to arrive at through this?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." never to learn it at all." "By train from Waterloo." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "But what will you do?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Not in a good cause." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Certainly, madam." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire held up the lantern and gazed about him. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "What is it?" money should be paid at once.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some flock.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Tell me all about it,' said I. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "The gentleman I describe." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure placed his cuttings. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and my special province." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, appointment with me for six o'clock?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bell. Holmes whistled. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the very letters. But what is this written above them?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a where she found matters as described by the last witness. "That was it, sir." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "One of the highest in England." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may room had already been engaged for us. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: back to my heart. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of developed." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set McCarthy's innocence. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Does that suggest anything?" "If I can be of use." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too derbies." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works round with crates and massive boxes. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we extraordinary contortions. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged your most interesting statement." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an someone who had been in Australia." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of off." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case