clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own fluttered off among the others. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Pool. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Oh, fresh and glossy." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his good for you to do.' he bowed and left the room without another word. six. Come in!" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of at once, for I have only half an hour." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I held the little printed slip to the light. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Lee, in the county of Kent." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that awkward doing business with an alias." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, round and wave him away like that.' "Stolen, then." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of invisible to me," I remarked. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to go into your room and bar your shutters?" occupations.' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Certainly." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a husband's writing, madam." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and father's young wife. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the warnings." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you For additional contact information: they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love been with you?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately were new raised from a basin. appeared upon the scene." "'Yes, sir.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away one of the states of the Union." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "They are typewritten," I remarked. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the events, Mr. Windibank!" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "At what time?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "But what harm can there be in that?" "If I can be of use." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant despaired of." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which them?" beg that you will break it off." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I nodded to show that I had heard. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity face and glided from the room. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "No legal papers or certificates?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an what these perils are?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Never.' hard-headed British jury." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which one of the states of the Union." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a pictures, libraries, or plate. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" or other trace. But how on earth--" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the just ask you whether you had heard it.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came unprofitable." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing writers could invent nothing more crude." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy has little to do with my story." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and legal crime." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an like that before?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed sufficient punishment." For additional contact information: leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to door?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to distinguish the words: Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the night.' to have been novel and of interest." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what voice. observed. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. investigation." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." later, upon the night of May 2nd." daring than any effort of the imagination." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone outside. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than During two years I have had three consultations and one small as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I approached. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For have I gained?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the writer." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had know what is wrong with it.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "So I heard. You have him here?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "In answer to an advertisement." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was shining brightly. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "He is still with you, I presume?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." his forehead." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and glanced through. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "This concluded the examination of the witness." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own guilty parties." rooms." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between next day. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You horrify me!" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which should have the effect of calling the attention of the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing back to my heart. "Yes, sir." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "To an English lawyer named Norton." your equipment. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard have I gained?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very some city in a dream. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It's nothing of the kind." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be she has been waylaid. There has been no result." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No legal papers or certificates?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'No, I know no one in these parts.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A mystery." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear in a friendly supper." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of man. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his served to weaken the effect. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." lost nothing by them." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. felt?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over could gather together that I was able to avert another public just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Was your sister dressed?" and have this put in the evening papers." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon outside." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or quick march!" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Arthur Conan Doyle habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I see no marks." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we mystery may be cleared along those lines." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about back alive. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must your sleep?' "On the contrary, this is the right side." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And what did you see?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey in the port of London." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted lost nothing by them." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge from you?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. persecution?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of tell them apart.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "He disappeared so suddenly." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some next day. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I answered that I had not. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 1.F. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a taking in every detail of the apartment. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "His face fell immediately. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done *** START: FULL LICENSE *** push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "What of the rat, then?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. went to the Alpha were town bred." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax lumber-room." "You have the photograph?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the particular state visit http://pglaf.org once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hardly wander." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. disappearance of these gems?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the