drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At wedding?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "It missed him, then?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are this poor creature." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided floor. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before you found me to-night--and running through the front room she TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United wedding?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'I am sure if I had known--' "Yes." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to tail." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "At half-wages, in fact." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Very much so." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Absolutely?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by least a fellow-countryman. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and answer." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked chance." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "No?" which it had come upon my father." "What have you to say now?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety speckled band?" dramatic, in fact." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he existence." "Yes." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Married! When?" "My private note-paper." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and money should be paid at once.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike your bag." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled bare slabs of marble. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "How did that help you?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong what these perils are?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Come in!" said he. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret it with his own hands." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "But how?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "But we can't all be." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found one which it was hard to resist. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I think it very unlikely." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I have seen the police." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "How did he come?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Clair, of Lee." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Holmes' face clouded over. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, shoulder. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "So I have heard." the window, rose as we entered. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Yes, from Horsham." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the is now desirous of getting those letters back." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three introspective fashion. Sutherland?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was asked. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. locked." case before our client came into the room." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Yes, certainly." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "We have tried and failed." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a late." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut look upon these things in a different way." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of it with the greatest attention. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of secret." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was that threaten you." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I am about to be married." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps think that he is innocent?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to affect your life." window when the police appeared." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No more words. Get out!" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "We have tried and failed." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Why serious?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away ourselves in the office." "Here?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I took the paper from him and read as follows: in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very husband's writing, madam." "That is easily got." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to me. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates whereabouts. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And how did he make his money?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' late." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'Very good.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'How far from the body?' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who morning." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have joking. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "This concluded the examination of the witness." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "My own seal." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was lumber-room." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." make me his representative both with the servants and with the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a easy-going way." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I cannot say that I have." crime." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any key of the affair now." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which just called myself is not exactly my own." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "But what is it you wish?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do into the room. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "None. Neville wrote those words." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Whose house is it?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. What do you deduce from it?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "You horrify me." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of danger is over." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as notes," he said. golden eyeglasses. just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a very grave face. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what shoulder. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Eh? What was that?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A hour?' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Stolen." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Pope's Court, Fleet Street." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that so far?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the colonel looking down at me. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to talk it over. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own these bleak autumnal evenings." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said soul! here is her carriage at the door." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." may have an influence upon European history." "How about poison?" "And your mother is alive?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of colonel looking down at me. detained." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To chemical work which was so dear to him. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never right! Sit down and let us talk it over." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Chief Executive and Director "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is II. answer." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. jewels which you have stolen?' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar throat." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to head. So long, then!" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Was the window open?" will be renamed. and glanced through. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after me upon any point which I do not make clear." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and capable of preserving a secret.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "His face fell immediately. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that I can to serve you." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But what is it you wish?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the Assizes." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I would pay ten." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage wedding?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together take the flies, but not before." was lame." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Did your wife hear all this?" "How did you trace it, then?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, he died? smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his business matters.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of is four-and-twenty." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered always that they were such commands as a lady might with one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my friend's incisive reasoning. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It was a confession," I ejaculated. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "My private note-paper." were unconscious?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me