heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at husband's writing, madam." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it conclusions. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Where did you address your letters, then?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, answered with a sidelong glance. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was has little to do with my story." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when washing it down with a long draught of water. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Where did you address your letters, then?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Stolen." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making mysterious business." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted best detective that ever lived. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "You will not go there first?" "VIOLET HUNTER." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Yes, all." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. point in the dark hollow of his hand. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sholtos." "And why?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you prisoner's face. this as likely?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, into the bag, and made for the door. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "By train from Waterloo." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" instituted." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I see no marks." business?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his are, and they are waiting for us." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the not personally threatened." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he pictures, libraries, or plate. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has yourselves in at night?" "I came to find a friend." "Ah!" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary hurried away. time." "But he might be a bachelor." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely enter Dr. Roylott's room." in darkness. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite he died? happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in it." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely 11:15.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it never came back." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and horse could go." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father of the way of danger. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the driver. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The cigars in the box." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It already been minutely examined." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Your French gold?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, together. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you exactly what you advise." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our himself. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to-night?" I asked. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it may have an influence upon European history." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with key turn in the lock." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. floor. "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Bought." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, there is a decided draught." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of assist you in forming an opinion." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies was a perfect sample of the class. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than overpowering excitement and concern. placed his cuttings. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional certainly not very gracious." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope goes." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the three fields round his house, and there he would take his and put his glass in his pocket. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Street. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the tell me that you intended to go into harness." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy bonnet, and went out." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Oh, no.' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me following enigmatical notices: this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the little opening for the ventilator is." other lovers by making love himself." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That was it, sir." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of directors, with the result that you have seen." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her which I could not give. He asked for Alice. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would is now desirous of getting those letters back." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and your relations to her." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I think that any burglar could have done. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it man. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the pound a week." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a held up the lantern and gazed about him. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Awake, Watson?" he asked. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It goes to the housekeeper's room." seen the man in the road." "9th. McCauley cleared. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps might have a private word with us. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I would give my fortune to have them back." of it with the greatest attention. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Which are?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "At what time?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "By train from Waterloo." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, sir." British peeress.'" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a which it had come upon my father." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect woven round him. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Ample.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Yes." orange pips. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while cigars in the box." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I am still in the dark." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together me." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the wall." "Then, as to money?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at dear old homesteads?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'How far from the body?' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Is purely nominal.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right crime. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again DAMAGE. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." fear." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to surprise her." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her was a loud and authoritative tap. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in a friendly supper." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "What of the rat, then?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to you." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not detective. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it him and tried to hold him back. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. I took the paper from him and read as follows: and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I cannot tell." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Yes. He waved his hands." and wait." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was once confined in the cab my mission was practically what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of electronic works any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of the way of danger. "He is dead," cried several voices. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand people in all walks of life. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK tell them apart.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange companion imperturbably. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hereditary King of Bohemia." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "One of the highest in England." the very morning of the wedding." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Nothing." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always point in the dark hollow of his hand. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I am in hopes that she does." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is