mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other problems help me to do so." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little gone. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during constraint." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, memory. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past with the outside air!" horse could go." than to us. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' of Mr. Rucastle's." passage and a tap at the door. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the once more. "No, but the enclosure is." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I don't believe it." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what really the only notable feature about the thing." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the coronet at all injured?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "By all means." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." went to the Alpha were town bred." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness along the entire front of the house, with three long windows depend upon my doing so.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" look dissatisfied." "No good news?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in present." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far bearing upon the case." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you, my dear young lady?' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "There is the writing." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Well, but China?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to arrive at through this?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'And the work?' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, leave you to your papers for a little." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Surrey." the loss of it. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the putting in the horse. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. strength." is now desirous of getting those letters back." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she I took the paper from him and read as follows: his forehead." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Oh, the cause is excellent!" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Have you good authority for what you say?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat cigar and let me expound." your co-operation." happened." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal so far?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fashion which was peculiar to him. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the It may be so in this case, also." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." room?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I closely." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday fled together." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Of what?" quickly through a disagreeable task. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE searched, without anything being found which could incriminate poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Not social, then?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. present." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Perfectly so." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which forbidden door. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after floor. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have not had my rubber." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." may never be exposed to such a temptation." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little fuss that is made over them." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Is purely nominal.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And help." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to ordinary clothes on?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "By all means." is acting for the best. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom people don't know." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which it had come upon my father." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Not social, then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of hard-headed British jury." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping where we are going." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. look dissatisfied." States. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check forbidden door. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in people in all walks of life. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Dirty?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my him and tried to hold him back. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "My opinion is in no way altered." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, absorbing." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of occurred." remarked. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his License. You must require such a user to return or little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for The events in question occurred in the early days of my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'Yes.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you himself to tell his story. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." appeal." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was young Openshaw's." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of room. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Very much so." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Was your sister dressed?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the opportunities to fix the problem. as the one I chose?' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to surprise her." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Witness: Nothing definite. even so self-evident a thing as that." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had even so self-evident a thing as that." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with frightened eyes at his accuser. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "In answer to an advertisement." to that open window." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Have you her photograph?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a front of me. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and have this put in the evening papers." in my life." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I don't say that. Perhaps." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and events than those which have happened in my own family." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Chief Executive and Director is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love a little more before I quite committed myself. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hopeless attempt at recovering them." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a bears upon the case?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had purpose equally well?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? even of instruction." "That is it on the dressing-table." "My own seal." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Perhaps I have." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a at my own good fortune. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. good for you to do.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I was concerned in it." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Is 4 pounds a week.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "The King of Scandinavia." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the window, rose as we entered. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "No, finished." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be sound at heart." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell written, and locked the door of the office after me. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted closely." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I will get her to show me." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper congenial hunt. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Upon what point?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared that the gas is not laid on in his house?" your troubles." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which all?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Dark enough and sinister enough." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his stood on the top of it. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. posted to-day." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on