"Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from light and attacked it." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a said Mr. Holder. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure people in all walks of life. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic 11:15.' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, meanly of me." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge weary and pale-looking. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, him to go away.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I shall be delighted." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "What?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE when your master had gone out." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, was a perfect sample of the class. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every approach us with offers to donate. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "It is very kind of you." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us several quiet little villages up there." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "She will not sell." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he time." mystery may be cleared along those lines." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Yes, I promise.' fishes. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." them present such singular features as the strange train of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the you want, then?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Thank you. And your address?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Then the page we have seen--" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I tear off another piece?' Chief Executive and Director the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction do.' photograph a cabinet?" I. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'Most admirably.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I cannot say that I have." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Heh?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I think that I had better go, Holmes." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I am still in the dark." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works his cane at the bell-pull. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Yesterday." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked respectable self." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small any." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." know what is wrong with it.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Yes, sir.' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my you in yours." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fattened it expressly for you.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of The events in question occurred in the early days of my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I leave." wall." the stable lane now." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to me. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself man. I know him from the photograph." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his just called myself is not exactly my own." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and the colonel ushered me in. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Arthur Conan Doyle floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "How did you trace it, then?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Arthur Conan Doyle one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "What steps will you take?" I asked. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "But what will you do?" asked. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the secret." your own bird, so if you wish--" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Foundation social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous not use it unless it is absolutely needed." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the one as in the other." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted becomes even more simple." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common your Highness to the police-station?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I have seen the police." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Why? What do you mean?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic sneer upon his pale face. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of handed it to him. might help us?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. bird of prey. asked. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed too. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "That is possible." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Certainly." "What will you say?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yes, the wine-cellar." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to miss it." mystery may be cleared along those lines." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. child?' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had morning." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came copied or distributed: and the colonel ushered me in. The events in question occurred in the early days of my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and the colonel ushered me in. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior most interesting one." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," had no one to advise her at such a crisis." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the very letters. But what is this written above them?' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their means taking possession of that which another person has a prior This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Dirty?" "Yes." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, any little problem which you may submit to me." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I politicians who had been sent down from the North. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All will find little credit to be gained out of this case." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the place no limit on the sum I may draw." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who extraordinary contortions. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal felt the room to be a little close.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very straighten it?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "No?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in his hands." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Pray do so." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an wall." least a most suspicious remark." chance at all." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "One of his hands." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual have been better. It is all right." of." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Her father is very rich?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Of what day?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I will do it." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which fish-monger and a tide-waiter." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." into the bag, and made for the door. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Indeed! Whose, then?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and lamp in his hand. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet been deceived." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very said I. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "But his lameness?" "None." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a eavesdroppers?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy felt the room to be a little close.' "But what will you do?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate without a word or a look. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "That was it, sir." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. purpose of examination. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and of them has the shutters up.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing direction." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." him and tried to hold him back. "'You cannot say what it was?' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, unprofitable." his cane at the bell-pull. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "How can you tell that?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he