bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "What steps will you take?" I asked. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Not yet." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Then you may be so with me." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a matter." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back From what you have told me I think that it is possible that gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway were new raised from a basin. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I was sure that I might rely on you." habit of advancing money.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate do you make of it all?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Did your wife hear all this?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other was shining brightly. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in the hope of finding them." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and my former friend and companion. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "A confidential servant?" passage and a tap at the door. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when villagers almost as much as their master. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I never have." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, so.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "That is unusual in a young girl." "It missed him, then?" of campaign. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over then?" ways of our fellow-men." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the have I gained?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the McCarthy." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the have one." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her dead, shall be safe with us." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "About a month then." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. strong and stiff." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "My private note-paper." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Why that?' I asks. desk. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of campaign. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" cigars in their mouths. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said envelope. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the one as in the other." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What office?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send will not take me long to tell. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the again, where I was soon asleep. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. nonsense.' know that the truth is known." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for had picked up in the wood. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the little adventures." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would singular points about the case. What did the police think of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "In answer to an advertisement." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is no ordinary one." "Nothing." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me you understand?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "And did you observe any change in her then?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for hereditary King of Bohemia." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of your young ladies.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." chill to my heart. within hail.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms deduce something from that?" "One of his hands." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Then, how do you know?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "No. What a strange idea!" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against meant it for the best. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I not as remarkable as your advertisement." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that eat it." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent vanished into the darkness. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of morning." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, approach us with offers to donate. "Dr. Becher's." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was a perfect sample of the class. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke written. "She walked into the breakfast-room." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you who was a member of your goose club." village inn over there?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any morning." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Is purely nominal.' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I do." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs hopeless attempt at recovering them." served to weaken the effect. if I call to-morrow?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes, that is the Crown." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with which are rolled in Rotterdam." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove throat." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "No, I think that I'll take it." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "No good news?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much brain must have something in it." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the neither fascinating nor artistic." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from particular state visit http://pglaf.org see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's his eyes and forehead. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the him. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. back alive. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yesterday." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Dr. Becher's." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" it with his own hands." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, rooms." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an recover the gem." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the himself to tell his story. or other trace. But how on earth--" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes, I have one waiting." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by allusion to a rat. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. lost nothing by them." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the side-table." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain himself in a perplexing position. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile you want, then?' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative gives a meaning to it." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this in a very precise fashion." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and the church but not where the lady lived." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was shining brightly. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Certainly." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera indeed happy." one of them." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Ah!" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Where, indeed?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he hereditary King of Bohemia." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that you saw all that I did." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Mrs. Toller serenely. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I taking in every detail of the apartment. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. nights." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes. He waved his hands." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "How often?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Where, then, is my wife?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had said he. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I in a very precise fashion." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of remarked. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Mary, has deserted me." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" money should be paid at once.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Clair, of Lee." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I shall continue with my miserable story. "Never." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke as he folded up the epistle. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his acquaintance?" "And how did you verify them?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however,