anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the kind enough to tell me what I should do." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" written, and locked the door of the office after me. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I am still in the dark." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' few hundred pounds.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day room?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once thought that she would have been so carried away." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had hopeless attempt at recovering them." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another plantation.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "The landlord of the Alpha." detective. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would said he. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'What then?' I asked. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "What then?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything gentleman's clothes. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has generous with you in money matters.' "And Miss Sutherland?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. brain must have something in it." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I nodded to show that I had heard. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the both be extremely obliged.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's most important business. It is probable that he will be away all how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for plantation.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," been lifted and conveyed somewhere." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "But you have hopes?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm trying to your nerves." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, all." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Yes, it was twisted." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts with frightened eyes at his accuser. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Mrs. Toller serenely. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had heavily into it. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "No. What a strange idea!" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel orange pips. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Then, how do you know?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at through." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was way: year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Thank you. And your address?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable me upon any point which I do not make clear." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my might have a private word with us. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Certainly." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "You were travelling in the States?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a over part of the map. "What do you read?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out not within a twentieth part of the market price." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I am sure." secret." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I assure you that I am in your hands." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Cross for the Continent." "I have seen the police." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this room. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them present." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. disturbance in my wife." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "No." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had papers must be those that are destroyed.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "How are you getting on?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to presume?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in in this note: taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Of Friday, June 19th." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "No, but the enclosure is." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I have a cab outside." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been least a fellow-countryman. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It is very clear." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fled together." directly by questioning you." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, of it with the greatest attention. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fat-encircled eyes. for the market.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I cannot as yet see any connection." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. in. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "You have but to name it." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five clang of the bell. "'Yes, it was gone.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all ordinary clothes on?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "In the cells." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'As governess?' into the bag, and made for the door. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Pray continue your narrative." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in at home. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you McCarthy." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his huge brown hands. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But how could you guess what the motive was?" ourselves in the office." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, writing, and yet I know it well." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Well, some hundreds of times." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "How often?" lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice cigars in their mouths. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "How are you getting on?" "Perhaps I have." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head something of him before." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'What then?' I asked. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Did your wife hear all this?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project which should have the effect of calling the attention of the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was one's self under obligations.' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent this man was intellectual?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, coroner's jury." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, conclusions. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea bachelor.' "Then how many are there?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. straightened it out again. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Where to?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over sooner or later she must fall a victim. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body one or two very singular points about this room. For example, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I was mad--insane." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when McCarthy." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave digesting their breakfasts at home." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "The vanishing of the lady." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of highly," said Holmes. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in fatally injured? "What will you say?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be throat." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Yes, sir.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But I have heard all that you have heard." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help III. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" notes," he said. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a ways of our fellow-men." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put derbies." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles subject to the trademark license, especially commercial reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the driver. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "In San Francisco, a year ago." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle have established a very serious case against the son of the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked have one." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "None." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'A dozen yards or so.' even of instruction." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' October 9, 1890. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You have but to name it." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said round with crates and massive boxes. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the stones. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, disappearance of the bride.'" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper about here speaks of his kindness to him." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such could go. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to exactly what you advise." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am point our research must commence, and we will begin it by cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of the one which your family is now devouring." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Who by?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "No." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, without a word or a look. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's