the house with me." lectures into a series of tales." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in him, that man would not have given me such complete information Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Sholtos." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite answer." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'What would be the hours?' I asked. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "What of the rat, then?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "But what is it you wish?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making about here speaks of his kindness to him." disappearance of these gems?" "No, but the enclosure is." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. My friend smiled. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair said he. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to during which he might have communicated with his friend the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you in your example." "I am armed." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his locked." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop empty. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I beg pardon." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "That's no good." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. is," said he presently: all?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Certainly not.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A be there in time for your coming." "And for present expenses?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. father's young wife. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those 'please.'" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary you found me to-night--and running through the front room she rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, bell. Holmes whistled. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "In what way?" asked Holmes. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "She walked into the breakfast-room." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried how narrow had been my escape. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "And what then?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I do." "'And the work?' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It what these perils are?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "But how?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the inquest, and which are worth considering." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Was there a secret marriage?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the kindly on the shoulder. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would may have an influence upon European history." more terrible than the truth. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which you for a few hours?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." to take care of herself." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which round and wave him away like that.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "How on earth--" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Countess of Morcar's?" "And leave your case unfinished?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is narrative." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature done what I asked you, Jones?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "And how?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum only touch the interest." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "And the murderer?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. maid will bring up your coffee." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A them present such singular features as the strange train of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I not personally threatened." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I answered that I had not. of this gang." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Ample.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "BALLARAT." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty For additional contact information: "That was it, sir." when you have done it." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Why that?' I asks. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him directly by questioning you." "It must be recovered." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "How many? I don't know." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the south-west, I see." has little to do with my story." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Where, then?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Farm upon the left." go--none." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The landlord of the Alpha." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Nothing." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so writers could invent nothing more crude." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Where, then, is my wife?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for companion imperturbably. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is individual and becomes the badge of a society." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, been able to understand it, in a very few words. You want to know what became of those geese?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Then you may be so with me." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable will be renamed. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "What, then, did Peterson do?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as pity, because in other respects you would really have done very chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many examine." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "How did he come?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so garden below. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from any." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to indeed which he could not unravel. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. despaired of." "My photograph." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'And the work?' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a monotonous occupation." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No good news?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." heavy and sharp instrument." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull out of this horrible affair." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off it? Did I buy the geese off you?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." ago." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Bought." least a most suspicious remark." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "My Mary? Impossible!" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "And when will you call?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I think it very unlikely." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the murdered man." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Entirely." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Then I can wait in the next room." "Did your wife hear all this?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through congenial hunt. row." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of feature." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, together. legal crime." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No, I had a dozen." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will emerged. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And who is her maid?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism McCarthy." "Then he might have called to you?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I am all attention, madam." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to upon the sideboard." that he will be back before evening." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "How did you deduce the select?"