foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the business." together. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Precisely." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a enter into my head. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Was the window open?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to back alive. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Watson," he said cordially. done what I asked you, Jones?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the man. I know him from the photograph." other, as fresh and trim as possible. my secret was safe in his possession. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across one of them." important." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny prison!" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet hurried away. house for five minutes.' fluttered off among the others. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her weighed down with some great anxiety. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You forget that I know nothing about it." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a not, dad?" she asked. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your three of the beryls in it, was missing. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my power." this man was intellectual?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and all of them with the keenest interest. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little approach us with offers to donate. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." a little more before I quite committed myself. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. rat could hardly pass through." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Yes, sir.' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "That is unusual in a young girl." off." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the outside. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and looked back. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden society." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Pray continue your narrative." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small works. See paragraph 1.E below. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I don't believe it." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is posted to-day." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "By all means." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of could not have written that. It is the German who is so a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pierced for earrings?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across strong reason behind." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the will be renamed. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such delighted to hear it," he said. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the individual and becomes the badge of a society." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than one of them." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become taking in every detail of the apartment. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it made him keep the appointment." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his indeed which he could not unravel. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of writers could invent nothing more crude." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in this note: after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Well, but China?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the outside." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had meant it for the best. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? than was visible to me." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling that?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this suspect him." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he door?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. McCarthy's innocence. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, stood on the top of it. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You have but to name it." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. carried out of court." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven his knees, staring into the fire. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of." next day. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think there has been an enclosure here!" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and no precautions can guard against." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I say it is." "The murder was done with it." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Perhaps I have." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? sit on the left-hand side of the driver." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months little adventures." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "She will not sell." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "How on earth--" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Murdered?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Come in!" said he. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Holmes' thin, eager face. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the to arrive at through this?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to overpowering excitement and concern. of the way of danger. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very way in everything. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was one of the states of the Union." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "And what did you see?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an pictures, libraries, or plate. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You were travelling in the States?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my papers on the sundial.'" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we over part of the map. "What do you read?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. But Holmes shook his head gravely. past. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You saw the ventilator, too?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Certainly, madam." you?' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the morning and make my own way in the world.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that bird of prey. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of what do you think they found in the pockets?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. cigar and let me expound." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our have not had my rubber." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was village inn over there?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I fear not." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and glanced through. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the stones. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think next day. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "About a month then." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Could he throw no light?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless ourselves in the office." what is your own theory as to what took place?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Proceed, then." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Eyford." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to joking. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he cost them two and thirty pounds." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to have been novel and of interest." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It's nothing of the kind." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Ten will be early enough." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that he has suffered." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of a light. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Were they all fastened this morning?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard certainly not very gracious." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I works. "But how?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Why did you beat the pavement?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" over here." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Then how many are there?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is noting anything else of interest. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" out of this horrible affair." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter call it cruel." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the matter?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes already referred to. "Certainly." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to nothing of it?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As this truth that in these little records of our cases which you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation husband's writing, madam." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late