considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "So I am. Very much so." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "There is the writing." back to my heart. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "This photograph!" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "By no means." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his closely." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "You have the photograph?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden colour had been driven from his face. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "And leave your case unfinished?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. bled considerably." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the forebodings. "You are all wrong." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Very. But will he see it?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Stolen." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Clair, of Lee." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I cannot tell." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very beyond words. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in this man was intellectual?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father as yours." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that garden below. delighted to hear it," he said. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Does that suggest anything?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears speckled band?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I do." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I shall be delighted." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have been better. It is all right." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up leave you to your papers for a little." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Serpentine Avenue. "They are typewritten," I remarked. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have father's place of business?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "She told me to ask you." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'Yes, I promise.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Perhaps I have." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I will try. What is it?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and that he would see to anything that turned up. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing generous with you in money matters.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Of what day?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in beyond words. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes, that is the Crown." fatally injured? Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Texas, I think." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the legal crime." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "A client, then?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "And leave your case unfinished?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change good-night and bustled off upon her way. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hard-headed British jury." "Really! You surprise me." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sneer upon his pale face. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I will get her to show me." in the dead of the night?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have secret." forbidden door. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Where, indeed?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that me upon any point which I do not make clear." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I shall be delighted." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came pierced for earrings?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Then let me do so?' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been like that before?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. I leave." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Pray be precise as to details," said he. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, him to go away.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "The knees of his trousers." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin there is a decided draught." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of Mr. Rucastle's." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square union?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six most important business. It is probable that he will be away all soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I promise," said Holmes. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with records." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the this man was intellectual?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' ordinary clothes on?" it right.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Cross for the Continent." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he vault. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "In the cells." I nodded to show that I had heard. felt?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my strength of mind to control. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You are all wrong." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I have hopes." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." tightly behind him. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot locked." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, your room." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. which our visitor detailed to us. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only His name is Francis Prosper." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the coronet in his hands?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. bachelor.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Is purely nominal.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" you." this poor creature." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "No, finished." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Yes, he did." the window, rose as we entered. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he read it out to me." and looked back. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my 'please.'" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite suggested at once that there must be a communication between the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yes." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge chance." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "No, my brougham is waiting." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted me upon any point which I do not make clear." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Stoke Moran." the general public were present, then?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day south, for the country is more deserted there." figure." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them tell me that you intended to go into harness." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No sign of it?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I am sure." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a very grave face. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Yes." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "The doctor?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You have carte blanche." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen not, dad?" she asked. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'I am sure that I do not know.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I key turn in the lock." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. locked." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "10th. John Swain cleared. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Really! You surprise me." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of them has the shutters up.' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I cannot say that I have." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE you do it in twenty minutes!' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his never to learn it at all." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an directly by questioning you." stammered. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking depend upon my doing so.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If His name is Francis Prosper." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "No, thank goodness, she did not." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Pray continue your narrative." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Bought." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His union?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes." meant it for the best. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned II. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Of what?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, straightened it out again. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Why? What do you mean?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself