and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which some city in a dream. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about never will be, entirely cleared up. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing mysterious business." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and it need not interfere very much with one's other her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San companion imperturbably. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "And how?" think, you have already met." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you approach us with offers to donate. indeed which he could not unravel. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted she has been waylaid. There has been no result." name is different." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then he might have called to you?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," man. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Perfectly so." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Married! When?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who case before our client came into the room." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You question you as to those details which seem to me to be most quite distinctive." "Do you go out much in society?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman orange pips. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting not fit the lock." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's straightened it out again. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these know all about it," he snarled. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of paper in the air. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I would pay ten." been." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same golden eyeglasses. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to was a loud and authoritative tap. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a is now desirous of getting those letters back." tell me that you intended to go into harness." papers." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The only touch the interest." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business stalked out of the room. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" miles off. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Where to?" telegram would bring me down to your help." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which horse could go." own family. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I that you wished to speak to me?' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yesterday." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would criminal. We have already had experience of such." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe three fields round his house, and there he would take his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' important." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the coronet at all injured?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more recover the gem." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face newspaper selections." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that you wished to speak to me?' "When did she vanish, then?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite showing my impatience. excitement. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and bled considerably." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One bled considerably." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door What do you deduce from it?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without distance from the station, and there we found the young lady top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, flock.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you been with you?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a interests were the same as his." you do it in twenty minutes!' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had gone before you can get him to hospital." away to you." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Not in a good cause." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "My last client of the sort was a king." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Imitated." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another a very grave face. not personally threatened." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided weary and pale-looking. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Cross for the Continent." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more You want to know what became of those geese?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in families. Now for the facts. sneer upon his pale face. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable tell me that you intended to go into harness." like that before?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. brandy and water within his reach. "What are they?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which case before our client came into the room." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds hair?' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well use an arc-and-compass breastpin." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, one else, I think." "And for present expenses?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. forbidden door. gigantic client. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned conceal it?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "And leave your case unfinished?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the off." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Always." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you danger is over." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Which are?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a fashion which was peculiar to him. bird of prey. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the iron safe, which he closed upon it. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It certainly sounds feasible." "And your mother is alive?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is few hundred pounds.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Holmes' face clouded over. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was chance at all." charged with?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Precisely so. But how--" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "10th. John Swain cleared. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "How can you tell that?" have had none more fantastic than this." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I see no marks." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my redistribution. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little occupations.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's despaired of." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I am following you closely," I answered. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Why, it's a dummy," said he. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and noble correspondent could be. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Perfectly so." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I cannot think." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." better grown goose." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I cannot tell." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Will you bet, then?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. already been minutely examined." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No, thank goodness, she did not." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." States. enough to aid us in our search." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Ten will be early enough." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "He might." "Yes." "And how have you succeeded?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor clanging. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Why did you pick him?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the delighted to hear it," he said. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by developed." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Frequently." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to miss it." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' pierced for earrings?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and the whole place is in a blaze." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I chill to my heart. noting anything else of interest. hurried away. "I don't believe it." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'I shall certainly be there.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my figure." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Absolutely?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "We were both in the photograph." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to pierced for earrings?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid me where it went to?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "No legal papers or certificates?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You