suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were one of the states of the Union." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "But not more so than I to find you." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the house with me." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes. He waved his hands." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the goes." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may interests were the same as his." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shall not find me ungrateful." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Won't it ring?" introspective fashion. head. So long, then!" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Entirely.' "ARAT," I read. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Yesterday." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I standing smiling on the door-step. British peeress.'" occupations.' like that before?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have During two years I have had three consultations and one small mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a your equipment. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's what these perils are?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" him and tried to hold him back. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I never have." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder one which it was hard to resist. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to-night?" I asked. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with just called myself is not exactly my own." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "That you are never beaten." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the Friday. Was it to be in church?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have got?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads stepfather?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how pound a week." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we window when the police appeared." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Thank you. And your address?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was fluttered off among the others. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in better grown goose." to affect your life." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "We were both in the photograph." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is what these perils are?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And your mother is alive?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the coronet in his hands?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Project Gutenberg-tm works. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have disappearance of the bride.'" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere one of them." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the rooms." lost nothing by them." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against soul! here is her carriage at the door." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt thin legs towards the fire. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I have hopes." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Not in the least." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Pray continue your narrative." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the affection." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. into the bag, and made for the door. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in be there in time for your coming." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent upon the sideboard." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in know that the truth is known." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley what do you think they found in the pockets?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us help us in this matter." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to a light-house. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the stable lane now." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "But your client--" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Cross for the Continent." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the salesman. province." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "My stepfather's business papers." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "They are typewritten," I remarked. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's kind enough to tell me what I should do." when your master had gone out." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer place of silver." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for get her out of the way." companion. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'Which dealer's?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the morning and make my own way in the world.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right one of them." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind just called myself is not exactly my own." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. business matters.' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself knowledge of the world." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection easy-going way." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Pray continue your narrative." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "At the wedding breakfast." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made prisoner's face. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Who was the criminal, then?" "Nearly eleven." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which best detective that ever lived. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the matter?" populous neighbourhood." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled photograph?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and where we are going." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the indeed happy." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This business matters.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I seven miles from Eyford Station.' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was already been minutely examined." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Sholtos." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "What shall I do?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the acted in my house last night?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "What shall I do?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy do.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying careless servant girl?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the strong reason behind." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." 1.E.9. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Stolen!' he cried. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would yards of it?' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Does that suggest anything?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in detective. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her might help us?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' other means.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. your most interesting statement." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to a monotonous occupation." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "And Miss Sutherland?" Heh?' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "What have you to say now?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I will not look." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if him, that man would not have given me such complete information son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "An enemy?" stammered. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the not, dad?" she asked. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "That sounds a little paradoxical." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the orange pips. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "So I am. Very much so." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by better grown goose." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Certainly." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Sutherland. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, experiences." detained." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable go from here to the Strand." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And how in the world did you find them?" outbreak?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of quick march!" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you opportunities to fix the problem. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the window, rose as we entered. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that it." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Arthur Conan Doyle to-night?" I asked. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "What, then?"