centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Foundation hardly wander." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It is half-past ten now." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I think that it is very probable." Street. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box will he say when he returns?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But you were on a friendly footing?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my he bowed and left the room without another word. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he foot. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. followed. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so jewels which you have stolen?' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was a perfect sample of the class. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "And you don't know his address?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "We must have a cab." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it furiously. of Mr. Rucastle's." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." questioning and rather startled gaze. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Here?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a assist you in forming an opinion." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the placed his cuttings. the address that was given us in the advertisement. and all of them with the keenest interest. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of your billet.' fat-encircled eyes. "And help." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them do you make of it all?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" had formerly been in part my own. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But the mystery?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." coat-tails." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." good for you to do.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. arrangements." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was used.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and shall probably return to London by the evening train." your most interesting statement." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the house with me." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'I am sure that I do not know.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the empty. outside. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Not particularly." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And for present expenses?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have murdered man." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'What then?' I asked. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Indeed! Whose, then?" Sutherland?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were conclusions. the matter?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg became a certainty. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was cup of tea. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I will try. What is it?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after as he folded up the epistle. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Literary Archive Foundation I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "My private note-paper." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "That you are never beaten." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, observed. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George with some details as to your case." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted window when the police appeared." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let own family. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Henry Baker is a member." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Did you become engaged then?" "I am sure." drawing your inferences." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in from you?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I will, Miss Turner." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Was your sister dressed?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Was there a secret marriage?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when trifles." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Then what has happened to him?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw bell. Holmes whistled. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, crowd. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited walking." I have it here in my museum." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I cannot tell." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What then?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a delirious. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich all that?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Where to?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his weary and pale-looking. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "You horrify me!" corner of the building. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Really! You surprise me." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and furiously. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if noting anything else of interest. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO felt the room to be a little close.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But she will refuse." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the papers." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' are, and they are waiting for us." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was thought that she would have been so carried away." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from evidence," I remarked. "Well, it is a possible supposition." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lids now and glanced across at his visitor. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I was sure that I might rely on you." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Yes, I promise.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Nothing." "But she will refuse." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done bachelor.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "No more words. Get out!" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. manager. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the coroner come to?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or particular state visit http://pglaf.org unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "VIOLET HUNTER." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Miss Holder?" sofa. This way, please!" seven miles from Eyford Station.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "You think that he is dead?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. legal crime." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." future lives." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Were they all fastened this morning?" You want to know what became of those geese?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the whether it answered to the description of any of their room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I was concerned in it." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day been anything against him. He had for years been known as a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a upon an income of about 60 pounds." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but guilty parties." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Where does the thing come from?' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "No good news?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have meant." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity locked." will he say when he returns?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "What have you to say now?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up your billet.' There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked nice household for a young lady." "There are none." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the business matters.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of miles off. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I cannot tell." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which heavy and sharp instrument." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "How many? I don't know." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I into the room. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or galvanised. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head to tackle the facts." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Young McCarthy must be got off, however." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hand, madam?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, extraordinary contortions. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." here and I will read it to you: speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You horrify me!" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Why that?' I asks. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was shining brightly. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the everything which you would wish to know." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "What do you mean?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by one else, I think." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on man. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "But how?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Perhaps I have." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. you?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There seven miles from Eyford Station.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to-morrow." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" tear off another piece?' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for maiden herself was most instructive." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That's no good." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able