fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Project Gutenberg-tm works. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched than was visible to me." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he crime." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "My dear Holmes!" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend later, upon the night of May 2nd." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Sutherland. seven miles from Eyford Station.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Why serious?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their fat-encircled eyes. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Murdered?" "'Yes.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "We must have a cab." time." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Well, it is a possible supposition." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Tell me all about it,' said I. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about through." "You saw the ventilator, too?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Precisely." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in interests were the same as his." sneer upon his pale face. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "No." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Lestrade of Scotland Yard." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. point in the dark hollow of his hand. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen morning." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be information in his hands the value of which he did not himself took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," it." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive open." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Who was the criminal, then?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "In San Francisco, a year ago." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the best of training." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further presume?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than weapon." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. such attractions and accomplishments?' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Now, then, what's the last entry?" face and glided from the room. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I cannot imagine." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would or other trace. But how on earth--" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Breckinridge is his name." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, weighed down with some great anxiety. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest 1.F. woman." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "ARAT," I read. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew pressing in one house as in another. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than go back?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Never." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and address. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the orange pips. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email woven round him. your own bird, so if you wish--" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "What have you done?" asked Holmes. distinguish the words: "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Not I." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give words came to my lips. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should in a very precise fashion." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your his wife has ceased to love him." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And what did you learn from him?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a you." six. Come in!" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The summons was a brief and urgent one. to-night." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded figure." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily will take you up to see the machine.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we bearing upon the case." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hair?' the one as in the other." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have established a very serious case against the son of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without there in twenty minutes." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "The knees of his trousers." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit populous neighbourhood." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Then he might have called to you?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Yes, at the mines." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for I nodded to show that I had heard. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But she will refuse." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "His face fell immediately. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was once confined in the cab my mission was practically five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. remarked. "Well, but China?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with persecution?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should feature." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" chamber." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "The doctor?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I would give my fortune to have them back." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left man. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Yes." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if really the only notable feature about the thing." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by obstinate." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager everything which you would wish to know." "Well?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view coat-tails." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "And is that all?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several friends, not even his own brother. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider strong and stiff." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot there." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Certainly." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two suspect him." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Not in a good cause." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an said he. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in his hands." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so acted in my house last night?" was shining brightly. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" this as likely?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version way: certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "To the police?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this crime. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hour?' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector in his power. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its call you and give you the chance." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I answered that I had not. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to-night." "'I am sure that I do not know.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Yes, it was gone.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "His face fell immediately. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Just look it up, then." approach us with offers to donate. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as you want, then?' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "We were both in the photograph." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Who by?"