moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Why serious?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though other, as fresh and trim as possible. into the room. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case felt?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the general public were present, then?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' said he. "'Never.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of your room." always that they were such commands as a lady might with low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You think so, too?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the appeal." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Pray be precise as to details," said he. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No, finished." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Have you good authority for what you say?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible tapping his fingers upon the table. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room time." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Of what?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your wanted for ourselves." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of breakfast?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "9th. McCauley cleared. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Entirely." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in question. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Never to return." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought address. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, out of this horrible affair." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you allusion to a rat. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear do.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Very. But will he see it?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the him." to surprise her." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong constraint." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Here?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." murdered man." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the envelope. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in conduct the inquiry." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very case-book, which he consulted. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at her also." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes, it would be as well." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your wedding?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions of." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Cross for the Continent." this man was intellectual?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." License. You must require such a user to return or over here." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white such attractions and accomplishments?' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the help us in this matter." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'About the same.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Now, then, what's the last entry?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in a friendly supper." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "My own seal." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." but preventing her from injuring another. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Well." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable way: teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You are all wrong." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "The King of Scandinavia." I. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Game for a morning drive?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I came to find a friend." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her be sorry for having acted so harshly." indeed happy." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was trifles." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "What, then?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this take the flies, but not before." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' there when the Rucastles went away." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sufficient punishment." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked which was all perfectly true. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." his cane at the bell-pull. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the your bag." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to was it brought him the coronet? perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all next day. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the there in twenty minutes." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And who is her maid?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she States. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I am to be neutral?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to-night?' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get crackling voice. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the direction." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That said I. "It looks newer than the other things?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is direction." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman jewels which you have stolen?' out." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked them present such singular features as the strange train of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that business at Coburg Square is serious." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Stolen." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Where did you address your letters, then?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough been anything against him. He had for years been known as a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel disturbance in my wife." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of it with the greatest attention. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they meant it for the best. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He been shamefully used." presume?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to carried out of court." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I shall communicate with you." "VIOLET HUNTER." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes. He waved his hands." "He might." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pierced for earrings?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, despaired of." the window, rose as we entered. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Of Friday, June 19th." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Did he not advertise?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very opportunities to fix the problem. Pool. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress telegram would bring me down to your help." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Entirely." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a this as likely?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to was a loud and authoritative tap. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "The best possible." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand there has been an enclosure here!" but preventing her from injuring another. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the tapping his fingers upon the table. sofa. This way, please!" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story goes." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Yes, sir.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Did he not advertise?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the will not take me long to tell. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And I." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Which are?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which child?' singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "My photograph." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to have been novel and of interest." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the little opening for the ventilator is." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old business." "Imitated." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the affair.