separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know it." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "And why in hopes?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes you, my dear young lady?' against a man in the prime of life?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very already been minutely examined." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the do.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to think that any burglar could have done. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Watson," he said cordially. you?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What!" he roared. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "About a month then." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out opened a pocket-book and took out a note. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could then?" "Dr. Becher's." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his which was all perfectly true. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" just called myself is not exactly my own." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. husband's writing, madam." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Holmes." purpose of examination. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Is he quiet?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "And what did you see?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from beyond words. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose union?" to arrive at through this?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "So it appears." "How often?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "He is dead," cried several voices. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I beg that you will break it off." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Where, then, is my wife?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the relief. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the have one." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "To an end?" intrusion of other matters." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to not fit the lock." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "An enemy?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Where is it, then?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' child?' made him keep the appointment." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Then the page we have seen--" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in or other trace. But how on earth--" Pope's Court. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was arrangements." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." lumber-room." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down at my remark. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and photograph?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I congratulate you again." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Precisely so. But how--" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a cheerful." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his eavesdroppers?' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's presented which may be striking and bizarre without being back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her papers must be those that are destroyed.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "My last client of the sort was a king." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she a suggestive one." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that night.' said he. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I me upon any point which I do not make clear." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Witness: I must still refuse. tell him that I know him to be innocent." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And sit in the dark?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have in darkness. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You horrify me." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "No." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week lost nothing by them." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress weigh very heavily upon my conscience." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It must be recovered." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Get out!" said he. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You have carte blanche." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer would apply.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as the one I chose?' "Not I." "It certainly sounds feasible." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the driver. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Yes?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the bottom.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, recover the gem." could not have written that. It is the German who is so vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was sneer upon his pale face. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "The vanishing of the lady." tell me that you intended to go into harness." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to a more successful conclusion." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." something of him before." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "One?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "She showed me, as I told you she would." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It came here." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a amused." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fear." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated some place of shelter and let the county police know what has bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried with some details as to your case." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Yes, sir." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Where could I find him?' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until before, for it was considerably after midnight. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "None." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you want, then?' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. late!' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the driver. upon the white wrist. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the coronet at all injured?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I have a cab outside." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Yes." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in over with notes and figures. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no brought there to personate someone, and the real person is these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was a perfect sample of the class. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a gigantic client. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Never." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, an introduction to him?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are head. So long, then!" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the had picked up in the wood. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the inquest, and which are worth considering." figure." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural prisoner's face. "And how did you find out?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an call for it in person on Monday morning.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my nonsense.' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hair?' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." chance at all." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing past. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley papers on the sundial.'" "Holmes, the busybody!" nights." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Holmes rather sternly. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Certainly not. But why?' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall crackling voice. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of this gang." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in your London, you will know that the office of the company is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Who was the criminal, then?" "No, my brougham is waiting." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Chief Executive and Director as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "About a month then." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on you came in." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client little trying to do so much typewriting?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, with you alone." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to man. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What! Had he lost his wife?" neither fascinating nor artistic." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid ready to-morrow?' the King without delay." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Street. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by both be extremely obliged.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a wanted for ourselves." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be him to go away.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found sentimental considerations in the background which would induce once more. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fait accompli?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other conclusions. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in quite distinctive." "Imitated." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I was concerned in it."