that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Countess of Morcar's?" in darkness. "None. Neville wrote those words." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a important." "I will, Miss Turner." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Street. points to suicide?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you locked." "He is still with you, I presume?" been deceived." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'I am sure if I had known--' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few closing the door. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by arrangements." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as been shamefully used." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. them present such singular features as the strange train of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "By no means." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "A confidential servant?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the walking." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the papers on the sundial.'" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make you understand?" there has been an enclosure here!" suddenly upon us." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Tired-looking or fresh?" Holmes. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to so.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Lee, in the county of Kent." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of the way of danger. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose girl said." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And your mother is alive?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution highroad, where all traces were lost. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached stammered. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story only touch the interest." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "ARAT," I read. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate seen the man in the road." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the nursery. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Game for a morning drive?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fact, we may call it conclusive." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train think that he is innocent?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his your equipment. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What have got?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" himself to hunt down. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an British peeress.'" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had so.' "'And what salary do you ask?' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as were unconscious?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his as this. Pray let me have the details." "And you can do nothing until then?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "And what did you see?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words than to us. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. brain must have something in it." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already think that he is innocent?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her disappearance of these gems?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable enter into my head. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. see me here to avoid scandal." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I present." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It came here." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Yes, I promise.' undoubtedly my uncle's." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps pierced for earrings?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before burst out into a roar of laughter. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much within hail.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." ceremony." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Who by?" of campaign. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day did not hear it also.' page at http://pglaf.org in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few such person." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the What do you deduce from it?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will business in the City. She little knew what. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of his face. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "VIOLET HUNTER." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet shoulder. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. returned to France?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more she has been waylaid. There has been no result." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What do you make of that, Watson?" success. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a all-comprehensive glances. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "What?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps bird of prey. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "No." man. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I are, and they are waiting for us." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and other lovers by making love himself." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of be best to do. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Did you become engaged then?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have that?' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and digesting their breakfasts at home." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "By no means." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Absolutely?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "That is it on the dressing-table." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' see me here to avoid scandal." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "And how in the world did you find them?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I am still in the dark." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to-night?" I asked. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was McCarthy's innocence. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house were unconscious?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "The King of Scandinavia." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Yes, it was twisted." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, name is different." which are rolled in Rotterdam." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Certainly, madam." "I was mad--insane." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "That also I could fathom." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with seen the man in the road." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Oh, fresh and glossy." a little more before I quite committed myself. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "What?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project gigantic client. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Miss Holder?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, in this note: "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the very morning of the wedding." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." see me here to avoid scandal." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a which are rolled in Rotterdam." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting questioning and rather startled gaze. that I am arrested." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cigar and let me expound." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some during which he might have communicated with his friend the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Ha! you find it so?" "But his left-handedness." III. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "They are typewritten," I remarked. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Edgeware Road. tail." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "The murder was done with it." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I say it is." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance,"