process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "That is it on the dressing-table." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I am in hopes that she does." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'I am sure if I had known--' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" front of me. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and shall probably return to London by the evening train." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and secret." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in to you." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the inner apartment." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "And Miss Sutherland?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fatally injured? as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the coronet in his hand?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'In my own bureau.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his vanished into the darkness. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Yes, at the mines." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and all of them with the keenest interest. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer allusion to a rat. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell October 9, 1890. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of receipt of the work. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second fat-encircled eyes. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Certainly not.' "My opinion is in no way altered." directly by questioning you." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, writers could invent nothing more crude." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how results." hereditary King of Bohemia." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." not fit the lock." weighed down with some great anxiety. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, something of him before." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you was used.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "The knees of his trousers." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. some terrible trap for her." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at there has been an enclosure here!" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' off." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that there was nothing in it, after all." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found have I gained?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "There is the writing." hand, madam?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "We have tried and failed." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I will not look." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from he died? the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But how could you guess what the motive was?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, views." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." nonsense.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to surprise her." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the whether it answered to the description of any of their and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to you." and the whole place is in a blaze." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "And how did he make his money?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Pray continue your narrative." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the not come at once?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "A greater distance to travel." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Whose house is it?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I cannot tell." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to your bag." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the are, and they are waiting for us." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It was." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the warnings." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And Irene Adler?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Where, then, is my wife?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled writers could invent nothing more crude." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in address. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather there when the Rucastles went away." over part of the map. "What do you read?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Has he come with you to-night?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far them, and came down just as you departed. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of anything to do with the matter?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his once more. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Not particularly." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry with frightened eyes at his accuser. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Not social, then?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. ceremony." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark read it out to me." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in quick march!" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and it need not interfere very much with one's other already referred to. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the has little to do with my story." "Certainly, madam." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in father's place of business?" matter." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "So I have heard." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes. acquaintance?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the house with me." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the call for it in person on Monday morning.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt hour." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'As governess?' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master mysterious business." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if his huge brown hands. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a this remarkable episode. observed. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." have not had my rubber." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my a very grave face. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a disappearance of the bride.'" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Certainly not.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very be best to do. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich despair." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here distance from the station, and there we found the young lady run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to-night's adventure." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Munro.' be. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I to affect your life." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Then I do not see the point." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and capable of preserving a secret.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" front of me. "Certainly." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from despaired of." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the you in your example." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that as he remarks, very much against the son." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "And your father? Did you tell him?" lips." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'A dozen yards or so.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of closing the door. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "There is the writing." "Then I can wait in the next room." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I think that it is very probable." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall intrusion of other matters." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Why, what do you mean?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite house for five minutes.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my redistribution. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had there." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found straightened it out again. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get that threaten you." "I have come for advice." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'What would be the hours?' I asked. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Always." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had there." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the written. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No more words. Get out!" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in see me here to avoid scandal." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to laugh and put his lips to my ear. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the which we had just quitted. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Will you bet, then?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "What! a murderous attack?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of Mr. Rucastle's." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your works. See paragraph 1.E below. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and intrusion of other matters." "What shall I do?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he secret." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune learned something! Where are the gems?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing one's self under obligations.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Just look it up, then." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "No bad?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the coroner come to?"